Recent research underscores that climate change has evolved from a distant environmental concern into an immediate threat to everyday life and public health, hitting vulnerable demographics the hardest.

According to a report released on November 10 by the Gyeonggi Research Institute—titled "Policy Directions for Gyeonggi Climate Insurance to Establish a Gyeonggi Climate Safety Net"—over 90% of local residents feel the direct effects of climate shifts. The study, which evaluated current climate insurance outcomes and surveyed 2,000 Gyeonggi residents, revealed that 92.2% acknowledge how climate change impacts their daily routines.

When asked about the primary disruptions, 72.8% pointed to health complications stemming from extreme heatwaves and cold snaps. Safety hazards from flooding, heavy snowfall, and torrential downpours followed at 58.5%, while financial burdens from surging heating and cooling bills accounted for 39.1%.

These perceived threats translated into widespread physical harm. Approximately 31.1% of surveyed residents—roughly one in three—reported experiencing symptoms associated with heat-related illnesses over the past year. Among those affected, nearly 15% sought professional medical care.

The survey highlighted a stark disparity in climate vulnerability. Lower-income and vulnerable groups faced a heat-related symptom experience rate of 46.5%, markedly higher than the 29.3% recorded among non-vulnerable groups. In addition, 31.9% of vulnerable individuals required hospital or clinic visits due to these symptoms, dwarfing the 11.8% rate seen in non-vulnerable demographics.

To address these widening gaps, the research team recommended revamping the regional climate insurance framework. While preserving baseline protections for all provincial residents, the proposed reforms advocate for enhanced safety nets tailored specifically to high-risk individuals. Key recommendations include refining payout mechanisms, prioritizing core health-related damages, simplifying the claims process, boosting financial efficiency, and establishing continuous monitoring systems to track victim protection levels.

"Climate-induced risks are actively shaping our immediate reality, and the medical and financial toll falls disproportionately on society's most vulnerable," noted Lee Eun-hwan, Senior Research Fellow at the institute. "Our policies must adapt to ensure comprehensive basic coverage while delivering targeted, seamless protection where it is needed most."

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