Impact of Extreme Weather on Southeastern Communities

The Southeast region faces increasing threats from extreme weather events, including hurricanes devastating inland mountain communities, unprecedented droughts exacerbating wildfires, and severe storms endangering millions’ electricity supply. These challenges affect diverse environments ranging from coastal areas to forests, impacting both urban and rural populations.

Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) is dedicated to fostering clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast by addressing carbon pollution and climate change.

Strategic Actions to Promote Sustainability

1. Development of Clean, Renewable Energy Resources
   • Encouraging solar power initiatives
   • Supporting battery storage technologies
   • Advancing wind energy projects
2. Advancement of Clean Transportation Technologies
   • Promoting electric cars, trucks, and buses
   • Expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure
3. Opposition to Fossil Fuel Expansion
   • Resisting the development of methane gas plants
   • Challenging the construction of new pipelines
4. Promotion of Energy Efficiency
   • Implementing consumer energy-saving options
   • Incorporating efficiency in utility planning to reduce demand
5. Community and Government Engagement
   • Educating citizens on clean energy advocacy
   • Collaborating with local governments to implement sustainable energy solutions

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article emphasizes the development of clean, renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, and battery storage.
   • It also discusses advancing clean transportation technologies and promoting energy efficiency.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article highlights the threat of extreme weather events driven by climate change and the commitment to reduce carbon pollution.
   • It focuses on fighting fossil fuel expansion and advocating for clean energy to mitigate climate change impacts.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article mentions ensuring clean, safe, and healthy communities across urban and rural areas in the Southeast.
   • Engagement with citizens and local governments to implement clean energy choices supports sustainable community development.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Promoting energy efficiency options to reduce energy demand aligns with responsible consumption.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
   • Target 7.a: Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technologies.
2. 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.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal waste management.
   • Target 11.b: Increase the number of cities adopting and implementing integrated policies towards inclusion, resource efficiency, and disaster risk reduction.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. SDG 7 Indicators
   • Proportion of energy from renewable sources in total final energy consumption (Indicator 7.2.1).
   • Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP (Indicator 7.3.1).
   • Access to electricity and clean cooking solutions (implied through clean energy access efforts).
2. SDG 13 Indicators
   • Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population (Indicator 13.1.1).
   • Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan to address climate change (Indicator 13.2.2).
3. SDG 11 Indicators
   • Air quality levels in cities (Indicator 11.6.2).
   • Number of cities with disaster risk reduction strategies (Indicator 11.b.2).
4. SDG 12 Indicators
   • Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP (Indicator 12.2.1).
   • National recycling rate, tons of material recycled (Indicator 12.5.1).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cleanenergy.org