Abstract
Recent years have witnessed rapid and vigorous industrial advances, and as a result, emissions of various pollutants, particularly carbon dioxide, have increased sharply and threaten the environment at the global level in a phenomenon widely referred to as global warming. To mitigate global warming, international agencies have considered the concept of the “carbon trading system” or the “emission trading system” (ETS) and attempted to apply it to various countries. Many E.U. countries currently participate, and a few countries in Asia have been willing to consider the idea. However, powerful countries such as the U.S. and China have not fully embracing this scheme. This study examines the differences between the U.S., a developed country, and Korea, a developing country, in their attitudes toward the most important aspect of the ETS as well as their choice. The results based on a sample of 60 students (30 Korean students and 30 U.S. students) indicate that the respondents generally perceived a need for the ETS. Korean students were more likely to perceive a need for the ETS. The respondents generally had favorable attitudes toward the ETS, and Korean students were more likely to have favorable attitudes toward the ETS. The respondents generally emphasized low economic pressure as the most important factor influencing ETS success. These results have important implications for international agencies and policymakers wishing to identify practical methods for mitigating the issue of global warming.
B.Yoo