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Chonnam National University hosts a variety of leading research institutes focused on SDG 17, which encompasses responding to climate change, reducing terrestrial and marine pollution, and developing energy technologies for sustainable development. These institutes conduct research and develop and operate programs aimed at harmoniously achieving environmental conservation.
The institutes have dedicated staff passionately developing programs, curriculums, and research activities that incorporate universal values andx-x-x-objectives shared by the global community. Among these, certain sectors specifically emphasize environmental sustainability, including the BK21 Research Team for Environmental Sustainability and the Institute for Environmental Sustainability.
Thus, the research teams and institutes at Chonnam National University play a crucial role in leading research and educational efforts toward a sustainable future. By integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application, they aim to make a meaningful contribution to global sustainability goals, thereby reinforcing the academic institution's leading role in driving societal transformation towards a more sustainable and equitable world.
※ For more detailed information about the research institutes and teams, please refer to the content below and check the attached file.
Chonnam National University Professor Ham Yoo-geun's Team Discovery of a New Predictor for Central Pacific El Niño
Professor Ham Yoo-geun's team at Chonnam National University has discovered that the occurrence of Central Pacific El Niño since the 2000s is closely related to the dipole pattern variations in the sea surface temperatures of the South Indian Ocean.
Utilizing this discovery could enable the prediction of El Niño events up to 14 months in advance, potentially enhancing preparedness for various disasters and calamities caused by climate anomalies.
The research, led by Professor Ham Yoo-geun (corresponding author, pictured left) and Dr. Jo Hyun-soo (first author), was published in the prestigious journal 'Nature Communications' (impact factor 14.919) on November 15th.
According to the research team, while the well-known El Niño predictors in the Indian Ocean region have become less relevant since the 2000s, the Central Pacific El Niño, which differs significantly in its impact and damage patterns and is increasing in frequency, has been challenging to predict.
The team's detailed analysis of El Niño-inducing factors revealed that late-autumn sea surface temperature variations in the South Indian Ocean occur in a dipole pattern, which in turn induces changes in the wind fields over the Western Pacific, leading to the development of Central Pacific El Niño in the following winter.
This new climatic factor allows for the long-term prediction of not only El Niño events but also the occurrences of Central Pacific El Niño, which significantly impacts the global climate, providing crucial lead time of up to 14 months. This advance prediction can greatly aid in preparing for droughts, floods, and other disasters or food shortages resulting from climate variations.
Professor Ham stated, "The two types of El Niño, categorized as 'East Pacific' and 'Central Pacific', are climate phenomena that significantly affect the Korean Peninsula. With the results of this research, we can also predict climatic changes in the Korean Peninsula for the upcoming winter."