Climate alarmism over heat waves, fires drives false ‘solutions’

Report: The Link Between Global Warming and Extreme Weather Events

Introduction

As temperatures rise during the summer, there is an increase in climate alarmism surrounding life-threatening heat domes, apocalyptic fires, and biblical floods, all attributed to global warming. However, the data supporting this link are often cherry-picked, and the proposed policy responses are highly ineffective.

Heat Waves and Cold Deaths

While global warming does exacerbate heat waves, media coverage of high temperatures fails to acknowledge that temperature-driven deaths are primarily caused by cold. A recent Lancet study found that in America and Canada, 20,000 people die each year from heat, but 170,000 die from cold. Globally, the study reveals that there are 4.5 million cold deaths, which is nine times more than global heat deaths. Additionally, while warmer temperatures contribute to 116,000 heat deaths annually, they also prevent 283,000 cold deaths every year. Focusing solely on heat deaths misinforms the public.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• The study highlights the importance of addressing both heat and cold deaths to achieve good health and well-being for all.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• Affordable energy access is crucial for avoiding both cold and heat deaths.
• Cheap gas from fracking in the United States has allowed millions to keep warm with low budgets, saving 12,500 lives each year.
• Climate policies that increase energy costs achieve the opposite effect.

Forest Fires

While alarming images of forest fires dominate the media, the reality is that there has been a strong downward trend in global fires since NASA satellites started accurately recording them two decades ago. In the early 2000s, 3% of the world’s land area burned each year, but last year, only 2.2% burned, a record low. However, this information is rarely reported. While fires have increased in some regions, such as the Americas this year, they have decreased in others, like Africa and Europe. It is important to provide a balanced perspective on global fire trends.

Floods

Floods are often attributed to global warming, but the UN climate panel’s latest report expresses “low confidence” in attributing changes in flood events to anthropogenic climate change. The panel emphasizes that neither river nor coastal floods are currently statistically detectable from natural climate variability. Flood damage costs have decreased significantly over the years due to greater resiliency and development, outweighing any residual climate signal. It is crucial to acknowledge the limitations in attributing floods solely to climate change.

Conclusion

While global warming does pose challenges and incur costs equivalent to one or two recessions over the rest of this century, it is not an end-of-the-world catastrophe that justifies the costliest policies. A sensible approach would involve recognizing the costs associated with both climate change and carbon-cutting policies and negotiating a middle pathway that effectively reduces damages at a reasonable cost. It is essential to resist misleading and alarmist narratives surrounding climate change and make informed decisions based on evidence and cost-effectiveness.

Bjorn Lomborg is president of the Copenhagen Consensus and visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. His new book is “Best Things First.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
• SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• SDG 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
• SDG 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of deaths caused by heat and cold
• Temperature increase and its impact on heat-related deaths
• Number of cold deaths prevented by warmer temperatures
• Percentage of land area burned by wildfires
• Cost of flood damage as a percentage of gross domestic product
• Access to affordable energy

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Note: The indicators listed in the table are based on the information provided in the article.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: nypost.com

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.