Milford Sound, located within Fiordland National Park in the southwestern part of New Zealand’s South Island, is a representative fjord landform formed by glacial erosion. It stretches about 15 kilometers in length and reaches a maximum depth of over 400 meters, making it a landform of immense scale.
The region is based on a bedrock formed under the sea approximately 400 million years ago. Over the course of millions of years, repeated glacial periods caused glaciers to erode the mountainous terrain deeply, forming U-shaped valleys. Around 10,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age, glaciers retreated and sea levels rose, allowing seawater to flood into the valleys and form the current fjords.
Milford Sound is located on the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the Australian Plate, which results in active geological activity. The area is also home to a rich ecosystem. Various marine animals such as New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and penguins can be observed, and the kea, the world’s only alpine parrot, inhabits this region. Furthermore, the unique marine environment of Milford Sound allows deep-sea species like black coral to be found even in relatively shallow waters.
Why do fjords tend to develop in mountainous coastal regions like Milford Sound, and how has being located on the boundary of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates affected the formation of this landform?
Could you please send me a photo showing the fjord cliffs of Milford Sound along with waterfalls flowing down them?
Recently, the timing of cherry blossom blooming in Korea has been advancing, and despite it being April, there have been many days with daytime temperatures exceeding 20°C. This change is not just a fluctuation in weather, but a result of climate change caused by global warming. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, 2024 was recorded as the hottest year in 113 years of observation, and 78.8% of the summer rainfall was concentrated during the monsoon season, indicating changes in precipitation patterns.
These climate changes are also affecting ecosystems. Flowers are blooming earlier, pests are appearing sooner, and extreme weather events such as droughts and floods are becoming more frequent. In urban areas, the heat island effect is intensifying, and air pollution issues such as fine dust remain serious. These problems are directly affecting our daily lives, and now is the time for both individuals and society as a whole to make efforts for a sustainable environment.
We must remember that even small actions, such as proper waste separation and recycling, can have a significant impact on the environment of the entire planet.
In January 2025, the New Zealand government announced a new target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. This is an increase from the previous goal of a 50% reduction by 2030, and it represents the country's commitment to fulfilling its international obligations under the Paris Agreement. However, the Climate Change Commission has pointed out that other countries have set even more ambitious targets and that current global efforts may not be sufficient to keep global warming below 1.5°C.
Question:
New Zealand has announced its goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2035. What specific policies or action plans does the New Zealand government have in place to achieve this target?
Hello! My name is Hyeongjong Chang, and I’m an 18-year-old high school student from South Korea. I currently attend Haneul High School, a boarding school where I live and study with my classmates. I am currently working hard to achieve my dreams. Thank you for reading my post.
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