Climate Protection: EVs stop global warming pollution – My Edmonds News

Report on Climate Change Impacts and Mitigation Efforts in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: Extreme Weather Events and the Urgency for Climate Action

Recent catastrophic weather events across the globe underscore the severe impacts of climate change, directly challenging the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report analyzes these events, their root causes, and the corresponding mitigation strategies being implemented, with a specific focus on the transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles as critical components of SDG 13 (Climate Action).

2.0 Climate Impacts on Sustainable Development

2.1 Threats to Sustainable Cities and Well-being (SDG 11 & SDG 3)

Extreme precipitation and flooding have resulted in significant loss of life and damage to urban infrastructure, undermining SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Recent examples include:

• Valencia, Spain (October 2024): 12-20 inches of rain in a single day led to severe flooding and hundreds of fatalities.
• Texas, USA (July 2025): Up to 18 inches of rain caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in 45 minutes, resulting in dozens of deaths at a summer camp.
• Hue, Vietnam (October 2025): A record 5 feet of rain fell in 24 hours, causing widespread evacuations.
• New York, USA (October 2025): 2 inches of rain in under 20 minutes overwhelmed stormwater systems, leading to fatal flash floods in basement apartments.
• Jamaica (October 2025): Hurricane Melissa, intensified by global warming, made landfall with 185 mph winds.

2.2 Challenges to Resilient Infrastructure (SDG 9)

These events reveal that existing infrastructure, designed based on historical climate data, is inadequate for the unprecedented scale of modern climate disasters. This highlights a critical need to advance SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by re-evaluating engineering standards to build resilience against future climate shocks.

1. The New York City stormwater system, built for 1.7 inches of rain per hour, failed when faced with a deluge four times that intensity.
2. Valencia’s 70-year-old flood prevention system, which rerouted the Turia river, was overwhelmed by rainfall that surpassed all historical records.

3.0 Root Causes and Mitigation Strategies

3.1 Addressing Climate Change Through SDG 13 (Climate Action)

The primary driver of these weather events is the 2°F increase in the planet’s average air temperature since 1970, caused by carbon dioxide pollution from burning fossil fuels. In response, global religious leaders have invoked SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), calling for an accelerated phase-out of fossil fuels to meet the objectives of SDG 13 and address the “ecological and moral debt” to the Global South.

3.2 Global Transition to Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)

A global shift towards SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) is underway, driven by both climate necessity and economic advantages. Data from the first half of 2025 indicates a decisive move to renewables:

• Global electricity production grew by 369 terawatt-hours (TWh).
• Solar and wind generation accounted for all of this growth, adding 306 TWh and 97 TWh, respectively.
• Fossil fuel generation decreased by 27 TWh.
• Approximately 90% of new global power capacity is now from solar or wind sources.

3.3 Advancing Responsible Consumption via Electric Vehicles (SDG 12)

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is a key strategy for reducing fossil fuel dependency, directly supporting SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). This transition is encouraged by lower operating costs and the elimination of tailpipe emissions.

3.4 Consumer Adoption of EVs: Opportunities and Challenges

While consumer interest in EVs is growing, several factors influence the rate of adoption.

• Charging Infrastructure: Access to affordable charging remains a concern, particularly for residents without home charging options. Public charging costs vary, with rates observed from under 40 to over 60 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
• Vehicle Availability: The used EV market is expanding, offering a growing variety of models, including SUVs, sedans, and hatchbacks. Affordable seven-seat EV options remain limited, though plug-in hybrids like the Chrysler Pacifica offer a transitional solution.
• Purchasing Process: Consumer concerns are shifting from the viability of EVs to the logistics of the vehicle purchasing process itself.

4.0 Regional Analysis: EV Adoption in Washington State

4.1 Quarterly Market Performance

Analysis of vehicle registration data from the Washington State Department of Licensing provides the following insights:

1. New EV Sales: In Q3 2025, the EV share of new vehicle sales declined to 18% statewide and 20% in the Edmonds-Lynnwood-MLT area, largely due to fluctuations in Tesla sales.
2. Used EV Sales: The used EV market showed robust growth, with the EV share rising 48% in the Edmonds-Lynnwood-MLT area (to 4.5%) and 32% statewide (to 2.7%) compared to the previous year.
3. Total EVs on the Road: As of September 2025, 4.3% of registered vehicles in the Edmonds-Lynnwood-MLT area were electric, a 27% increase over the prior year. Statewide, EV ownership grew by 27% to 3.3%.

4.2 Assessment of Progress

The data indicates positive momentum in the transition towards sustainable transportation, contributing to SDG 11 and SDG 13. However, with 96% of vehicles still reliant on fossil fuels, the pace of adoption must accelerate significantly to meet long-term climate goals. The ongoing expansion of renewable energy generation (SDG 7) is critical to ensuring this transition is effective and sustainable.

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

The article discusses several interconnected issues, primarily focusing on the impacts of climate change and the transition to sustainable energy and transport. These themes directly relate to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article emphasizes the global shift away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources. It provides specific data on the growth of solar and wind power generation, highlighting them as cheaper and cleaner alternatives that are being adopted by electric utilities worldwide.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The text points out the failure of existing infrastructure, such as stormwater systems in New York and flood canals in Spain, to withstand the unprecedented intensity of recent weather events. This highlights the urgent need to build resilient and sustainable infrastructure capable of adapting to the new climate reality.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal is addressed through the discussion of urban flooding, loss of life in cities like New York and Valencia, and the promotion of sustainable transport. The article’s detailed analysis of Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption in Washington State directly connects to making urban transport systems more sustainable and reducing the environmental impact of cities.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  This is the central theme of the article. It explicitly links extreme weather events (floods, hurricanes) to global warming caused by burning fossil fuels. The entire narrative, from describing the problem to proposing solutions like renewable energy and EVs, is framed as a necessary action to combat climate change and its impacts.

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

Based on the article’s discussion, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article directly supports this by stating, “Globally, electric utilities are switching away from fossil fuel power plants… Utilities are building up renewable generation: solar and wind.” It also notes that 90% of new power plant capacity is solar or wind.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being. The article illustrates the failure of current infrastructure to handle climate-related disasters, such as the New York stormwater system being overwhelmed by rainfall far exceeding its design capacity of 1.7 inches per hour. This implicitly calls for the development of more resilient infrastructure.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. The extensive discussion on the availability, cost, charging infrastructure, and rising sales of new and used EVs in Washington State directly relates to the transition towards sustainable transport systems.
  • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… caused by disasters, including water-related disasters. The article’s opening paragraphs, which detail the hundreds of deaths from flooding in Spain, Texas, and New York, directly highlight the human cost of these disasters, underscoring the importance of this target.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The article’s examples of catastrophic floods in Spain, Vietnam, and the U.S., which engineers could not anticipate based on historical data, demonstrate the critical need to strengthen resilience against new and more extreme climate-related hazards.

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

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicators for SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

  • Renewable energy generation growth: The article states that in the first six months of 2025, “Solar generation grew by 306 terawatt hours. Wind grew by 97 terawatt hours.”
  • Share of renewables in new capacity: It is mentioned that “chances are 90% that the new generating capacity is solar or wind.”
  • Reduction in fossil fuel generation: The article notes that “Fossil fuel generation fell by 27 terawatt hours” in the same period.

• Indicators for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

  • Number of deaths from disasters: The article provides specific figures, such as “Hundreds of people drowned” in Spain and “Two men drowned” in New York, which serve as a direct measure of the impact of water-related disasters (Indicator 11.5.1).
  • EV share of new vehicle sales: Progress in sustainable transport is measured by data such as “16% of new vehicles were EVs” in Washington State from October 2024 to September 2025.
  • EV share of used vehicle sales: The article tracks the growth in the used EV market, noting a rise “from 3.1% of used-vehicle sales in third quarter 2024 to 4.5% in 2025” in the Edmonds-Lynnwood-MLT area.
  • EV share of total vehicles on the road: The overall adoption is measured by the statistic that “4.3% of the vehicles registered in Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace were electric” in September 2025, a 27% increase from the previous year.

• Indicators for SDG 13 (Climate Action)

  • Frequency and intensity of extreme weather events: The article lists several record-breaking events, such as “12 inches of rain fell in one day on Valencia,” “5 feet of rain fell in 24 hours on the City of Hue in Vietnam,” and Hurricane Melissa’s “185 mph winds.” These serve as indicators of increasing climate-related hazards.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: myedmondsnews.com