Busan in 2070, the Gwangalli Beach Swallowed by Waves

The image captures the possibility of a grim reality. Furious waves crash beneath the Gwangandaegyo Bridge, a landmark representing South Korea, and the beach, once filled with white sand and crowds, has lost its shape. The high-rise apartments and commercial complexes along the coast are precariously facing the water. The sky is covered with heavy rain clouds, seemingly warning of the changes in daily life brought about by climate change.

This virtual scenario is no longer the realm of science fiction. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report, if global warming continues at the current trend, the average sea level of the Earth could rise by up to 1.01m by 2100. In particular, the rate of sea level rise around the Korean Peninsula exceeds the global average, exposing coastal cities like Busan to more direct threats. Busan in 2070 is expected to see a rise of about 0.5m.

Busan is South Korea's largest port city and maritime capital. World-renowned attractions such as Haeundae and Gwangalli, as well as Busan Port and most major industrial facilities and residential areas, are concentrated along the coastline. Sea level rise does not simply mean the erosion of beaches. It maximizes flood damage during typhoons or storm surges, paralyzes the city's infrastructure, and leads to complex disasters that threaten the safety and property of citizens.

The virtual image poses a question to us rather than despair. How can we ensure the sustainability of cities in a changing climate environment? It is urgent to reassess coastal disaster prevention facilities, establish urban planning that adapts to climate change, and for the entire civil society to share the crisis and seek countermeasures.

The future painted by AI is not a predetermined prophecy but one of many possibilities that can change based on our current choices. When we take this warning seriously and take action, we will finally find a wise path to coexist with the waves.