Climate change could result in the deaths of 1 billion poor people
Climate change could result in the deaths of 1 billion poor people WKBW 7 News Buffalo
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Human-Induced Climate Change Could Result in One Billion Premature Deaths, Study Finds
A recent study suggests that human-induced climate change could lead to the premature deaths of approximately one billion people in the next century. The study, published in the Future of Energy Policy, highlights the potential consequences if global warming reaches or exceeds 2°C. It predicts that predominantly wealthier individuals will be indirectly responsible for the deaths of approximately one billion people with lower incomes. This situation draws parallels to cases of involuntary or negligent manslaughter.
The Impact of Climate Change on Human Lives
The study emphasizes that climate change directly contributes to deaths caused by heat waves. Additionally, it identifies intermediary causes of death, such as crop failures, droughts, flooding, extreme weather events, wildfires, and rising sea levels. These factors fall between direct and indirect impacts.
The Urgent Need for Action
According to Joshua Pearce, one of the study writers, the scientific consensus on the “1,000-ton rule” suggests that approximately one premature death may occur for every 1,000 tons of fossil carbon burned. Taking this into account, anthropogenic global warming could result in a billion premature deaths over the next century. Pearce emphasizes the need for immediate action to address this alarming projection.
The Role of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The study’s findings align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations. These goals aim to address climate change, reduce inequality, and promote sustainable development. By taking urgent action to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, countries can work towards achieving SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
The Current State of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Despite scientific warnings, greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to rise due to increased fossil fuel burning. The study highlights that there is a 95% certainty that human-caused climate disruption is occurring. This disruption poses irreversible threats to the global environment, human well-being, and the economy.
Before 2022, approximately 0.6 trillion tons of fossil carbon were burned, resulting in a global temperature rise of around 1.2°C. Currently, around 34 billion tons of carbon dioxide are released annually from burning fossil fuels. Coal contributes approximately 45% of these emissions, followed by oil at around 35% and gas at approximately 20%.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Indicator: Number of deaths attributed to climate change-related causes such as heat waves, crop failures, droughts, flooding, extreme weather events, wildfires, and the rise of sea levels. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | Indicator: Increase in global temperature due to greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Indicator: Adoption and implementation of policies and strategies to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. | Indicator: Number of educational programs and initiatives focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.b: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing states. | Indicator: Increase in financial and technical support to least developed countries and small island developing states for climate change adaptation and mitigation. |
Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 13: Climate Action.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination (under SDG 3).
- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries (under SDG 13).
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning (under SDG 13).
- Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning (under SDG 13).
- Target 13.b: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing states (under SDG 13).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Indicator: Number of deaths attributed to climate change-related causes such as heat waves, crop failures, droughts, flooding, extreme weather events, wildfires, and the rise of sea levels (related to Target 3.9).
- Indicator: Increase in global temperature due to greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels (related to Target 13.1).
- Indicator: Adoption and implementation of policies and strategies to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (related to Target 13.2).
- Indicator: Number of educational programs and initiatives focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation (related to Target 13.3).
- Indicator: Increase in financial and technical support to least developed countries and small island developing states for climate change adaptation and mitigation (related to Target 13.b).
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Indicator: Number of deaths attributed to climate change-related causes such as heat waves, crop failures, droughts, flooding, extreme weather events, wildfires, and the rise of sea levels. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | Indicator: Increase in global temperature due to greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Indicator: Adoption and implementation of policies and strategies to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. | Indicator: Number of educational programs and initiatives focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.b: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing states. | Indicator: Increase in financial and technical support to least developed countries and small island developing states for climate change adaptation and mitigation. |
