Bicycling Against Climate Change & Its Culprits

By: Abraham Sumalinog

This Monday is not an ordinary day. I got invited and registered to join a bicycling event for climate action. I got up early and rented online a bicycle near Yeouinaru Subway Station in Seoul.

It was one fine sunny day. I took the subway and arrived an hour early at our meeting venue. Fortunately, two bicycles were left on their stands and were ready for use. Ttareungi, the name given to these green bicycles in Seoul, offers locals and foreign visitors access through online paid registration.

Having secured my bicycle, I had the time to explore Yeouido Public Park. I enjoyed the pine trees, plants, flowers, green grass, bushes, and the pond that offers abode to other living creatures such as the crane and turtle, which surprisingly, I did not expect to see.

Returning to the agreed meeting venue, participants of the day's event came one by one--some brought their bicycles while some rented Ttareungi. 

Getting Ready

The group expected to gather around ten participants. Due to the Coronavirus still looming around, the government continues to implement policies that prohibit big crowds and gatherings in enclosed places and public spaces.

It means that outdoor concerts, picnics at public parks, including massive protests are not allowed (although some groups violated the public order). Since riding bicycles enable participants to keep the distance between riders, we have secured permission from the police authorities. Police officers confirmed our group event and our cycling route and a final destination--the National Assembly Building's front gate. 

Having this climate action despite the COVID-19 pandemic, things are more challenging as we have to ensure that we are 'protected.' While I have my 'health gears' (including a helmet, 70% alcohol gel, and a mask), the sponsor of the event distributed additional alcohol sprays, shirts, and masks. Both the masks and shirts are printed with campaign slogans.

Riding Route, Destination, and Climate Action

And, off we go!

We were in one line formation as we follow our route along the Han River Park's cycling trails while enjoying the cool early Autumn breeze, the riverside views, and the blue skies. 

We finally reached the noisy thoroughfare just beyond the House of the Parliament's main gate in Seoul. It was not the cars and vehicles that made the worst noise but loudspeakers with live human speakers and recorded and repetitive protests and campaigns. 

One of the campaigners who used a megaphone campaigned against the proposed anti-discrimination bill's legislation as this proposal includes allowing gender equality, more labor rights, and other items not acceptable to some people or groups. 

Despite the cacophony of noise pollution, we were determined to execute our action plan. We had placards, banners and made short speeches emphasizing the intentions of our climate action.

The banner states:

Who is the main culprit of domestic greenhouse gas emissions? We oppose the construction of a new coal-fired power plant in Korea!

POSCO, a climate villain, should stop the coal power plant business!

Some placards and shirts state:

"We want to live"

"Let's save the Earth"

"Let's reduce gas emissions before 2030"

"If we intend to overcome the climate crisis, we need to work together"

Updates on South Korea's Climate Action

According to the Climate Action Tracker (CAT), South Korea's "rating fall outside of a country's 'fair share' range and are not at all consistent with holding warming to below 2 [degress Centigrade] let alone with the Paris Agreement's stronger 1.5 [degrees Centigrade] limit."

CAT also mentioned that what is more concerning "is that the government continues to support new coal power constructions both domestically and internationally, and recently bailed out a major coal plant manufacturer." Please, see the snapshots below from CAT.

The campaign slogans are both specific and general. It was during my short speech that I included transparency and climate governance integrity campaign messages.

Having accomplished our brief climate governance integrity action, including photo opts, we headed to a restaurant that serves vegetarian lunch and reflected on the day's event and discussed the next plans.

Thanks for your time!