South Korean environmental lawyer and Korea Maritime Institute senior researcher Dan-Bi Um is advancing innovative solutions that integrate solar power development with forest conservation. Her research focuses on the use of “solar trees,” tall structures designed with curved panels resembling open umbrellas that extend above forest canopies. These installations aim to expand renewable energy capacity without compromising the forests’ critical role in carbon absorption, thus supporting efforts to reduce deforestation.

The solar tree concept offers a potential pathway to reconcile the growing demand for clean energy with the need to maintain natural ecosystems. By positioning solar panels above the treetops, the structures minimize shading of the underlying vegetation, allowing forests to continue sequestering carbon effectively. This approach addresses one of the key challenges in scaling solar energy—balancing land use and environmental protection.

In addition to her work on renewable energy, Um has conducted research into blue-carbon rights, focusing on coastal fishing communities and their role in conserving carbon-rich ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrass beds. Her studies examine how these communities can benefit financially through participation in carbon markets, promoting both environmental stewardship and economic opportunities.

Um has also explored forest carbon trading and land rights issues in North Korea, contributing to broader discussions on forest conservation and climate policy in the region. Her multidisciplinary research underscores the interconnectedness of environmental protection, community rights, and economic incentives in addressing climate change.

By combining technological innovation with social and legal frameworks, Dan-Bi Um’s work exemplifies emerging strategies to promote sustainable development that safeguards natural habitats while advancing the global transition to clean energy.