19 ‘mass extinctions’ had CO2 levels we’re now veering towards, study warns

Sustainable Development Goals and the Impact of CO2 on Biodiversity

Introduction

A recent study suggests that within a human lifetime, concentrations of CO2 in Earth’s atmosphere could reach levels associated with 19 “mass extinctions” that have taken place in the last 534 million years. This article explores the impact of CO2 on biodiversity and emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Impact of

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
   • Target 13.5: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible

2. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
   • Target 14.3: Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements
   • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

Analysis

The article discusses the potential impact of rising CO2 levels on biodiversity loss and extinction events. Based on this information, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

The issue of rising CO2 levels and its impact on biodiversity loss is directly connected to SDG 13, which focuses on climate action. The targets under this SDG that are relevant to the article’s content include:

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
• Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
• Target 13.5: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible

2. SDG 14: Life Below Water

The article highlights the impact of ocean acidification resulting from elevated CO2 concentrations on biodiversity loss. This issue is directly connected to SDG 14, which focuses on life below water. The relevant target under this SDG is:

• Target 14.3: Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the potential extinction events and biodiversity loss caused by rising CO2 levels. This issue is directly connected to SDG 15, which focuses on life on land. The relevant targets under this SDG include:

• Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements
• Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally
• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: livescience.com

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