Climate change is here

Sustainable Development Goals and Anthropogenic Climate Change

Introduction

Anthropogenic climate change is now causing near countless numbers of deaths and vast misery throughout the world. In the western and southwestern U.S., all-time heat records have been set and scientists warn that 2023 will likely be the hottest year on record since the beginning of human civilization.

Impact on Home Insurance

• Wildfires and extreme floods have become so financially enervating that some home insurance businesses are no longer issuing new coverage for dwelling or property damage in high-risk areas.
• In some states, State Farm & All State Florida Farmers Insurance are planning to end property damage protection.

Recovery Efforts in Eastern Kentucky

In Eastern Kentucky, residents still have not fully recovered from the 2022 floods. Gerry Roll of the non-profit Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky has received many pleas for help since this deluge, which killed 40 people. As of the spring of this year, hundreds still face the housing crisis within the region. Their plight continues long after the waters recede.

Economic Challenges

Even with help from FEMA, state agencies, and the kindness from private groups & individuals in our state, many impoverished citizens are still in economic limbo. Carter, Breathitt, Letcher, Perry, Clay, Knott and Owsley counties were among those severely damaged. Eric Dixon, a researcher with the Ohio River Valley Institute, discovered that 60% of the families who lost their homes made less than 30,000 dollars annually. Securing a mortgage or obtaining funds to rebuild is almost impossible. This means that many live in campers, sheds, buildings with no running water or electricity, or double up with relatives.

Climate Change on a Global Scale

The impact of anthropogenic climate change has reared its ugly head in our commonwealth. Yet, over half of our whole nation is now sweltering from record high temperatures. This July will be recorded as the hottest month since the pre-industrial era. Dr. Michael Wehner, senior climate scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory recently stated that “a dangerous new climate change is here to stay.” Likewise, UCLA climate scientist Dr. Daniel Swain concluded that while some natural variability such as el Nino can amplify heat waves, “We’re starting to see the long-term human-caused warming overwhelming that volatility.”

Warnings from Climate Scientists

Dr. Katherine Hayhoe of Texas Tech University and the Nature Conservatory stated that for decades, climate scientists have warned the industrial and political powers of the dangers from continued emission of fossil fuels. Experts such as Drs. Michael E. Mann of Penn State and James Hansen of Columbia University warned our leaders about this more than 40 years ago. Other researchers agree.

Scientific Consensus

Dr. Bernadette Woods Placky, Chief Meteorologist at Climate Central, a non-profit climate science group, stated that the terrible heat waves were not a surprise to scientists. Palacky said, “We know what adding greenhouse gases to our atmosphere does and will continue to add more of them through the burning of fossil fuels.” Over 99% of the U.S. and world’s scientists concur that the spike in extreme weather disasters is connected to anthropogenic climate change and humanity must sharply curtail fossil fuel emissions. There is no debate about this among the experts.

Consequences and Urgency

Studies have shown that climate change-related extreme weather events lead to excess deaths and trillions of dollars in damage. The recent World Weather Attribution (WWA) study concluded that without anthropogenic climate change, the frequency and severity of the recent weather-related disasters would not have been possible. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also warns that anthropogenic climate change is a threat to mankind and immediate action is needed to shift away from fossil fuels.

Conclusion

Considering the overwhelming evidence, it is inexcusable for policy leaders to actively oppose measures to address this crisis. Climate change deniers should remain silent as massive scientific evidence has debunked their conjectures. The undermining of policies needed to address the crisis is dangerous for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the United States, and the world.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 14: Life Below Water
• SDG 15: Life on Land

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

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
• Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere.
• Target 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.
• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• 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 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.

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

• Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• Indicator 1.1.1: Proportion of population below the international poverty line, by sex, age, employment status, and geographical location.
• Indicator 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• Indicator 3.9.2: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution.
• Indicator 14.2.1: Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches.
• Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

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Source: richmondregister.com

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