Increased heavy rains, drought caused by human-induced climate change | Big Island Now

Impact of Human-Induced Climate Change on Rainfall Patterns

Introduction:

Using machine learning, an international team of researchers, including two from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, has found evidence that human-produced carbon dioxide emissions and climate change have led to an increase in day-to-day rainfall fluctuations over the tropical eastern Pacific and the mid-latitudes. This study aims to explore the impact of global warming on rainfall patterns and its implications for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Research Methodology:

The study, published in Nature, utilized a deep learning approach to analyze extensive amounts of data and identify patterns that are challenging for human analysts to decipher. The research team developed a deep learning model to quantify the relationship between global warming intensity and global daily rainfall patterns using a state-of-the-art climate model. They then applied this model to satellite-based rainfall observations.

Key Findings:

• On more than 50% of all days since the mid-2010s, there has been a clear deviation from natural variability in the daily precipitation pattern, influenced by human-induced global warming.
• The human fingerprint is already visible in daily rainfall variability in the tropical eastern Pacific and the mid-latitudes.
• The increased variability in precipitation due to global warming poses a greater risk of heavy rainfall, droughts, flooding, and wildfires in these regions.
• The impact of global warming on daily fluctuations in rainfall has also emerged in the eastern U.S. and Canada.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

The findings of this study have significant implications for several SDGs:

1. SDG 13: Climate Action – The study provides further evidence of the impact of human-induced climate change on rainfall patterns, emphasizing the urgent need for climate action to mitigate CO2 emissions and reduce the risk of extreme weather events.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The increased variability in precipitation increases the likelihood of hazards such as flooding, which highlights the importance of sustainable urban planning and infrastructure to enhance resilience.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land – The risk of wildfires due to drought conditions necessitates effective land management strategies and conservation efforts to protect ecosystems and biodiversity.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that human-produced carbon dioxide emissions and climate change have already influenced day-to-day rainfall fluctuations in the tropical eastern Pacific and the mid-latitudes. The increased variability in precipitation poses risks to various regions, including the eastern U.S. and Canada. To address these challenges, it is crucial to prioritize climate action, reduce CO2 emissions, and invest in research to understand regional changes in rainfall extremes for effective adaptation measures. By aligning with the SDGs, we can work towards a sustainable future that mitigates the impacts of climate change on rainfall patterns and promotes resilience.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

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

• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 15: Life on Land

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 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
• SDG 11.5: Reduce the impacts of natural disasters on human settlements and infrastructure
• SDG 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems

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

• Indicator for SDG 13.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected people attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
• Indicator for SDG 13.2: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change
• Indicator for SDG 11.5: Direct economic loss attributed to disasters in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP)
• Indicator for SDG 15.1: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Explanation:

The article discusses the impact of human-produced carbon dioxide emissions and climate change on rainfall patterns. This connects to SDG 13: Climate Action, as it aims to address climate change and its impacts. Additionally, the increased variability in precipitation due to global warming mentioned in the article is relevant to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, as it highlights the need to reduce the impacts of natural disasters on human settlements and infrastructure. Furthermore, the article mentions the risk of hazards such as flooding, droughts, and wildfires, which relates to SDG 15: Life on Land, as it emphasizes the importance of conserving and restoring terrestrial ecosystems.

Based on the content of the article, specific targets under these SDGs can be identified. For SDG 13, the targets include strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. For SDG 11, the target is to reduce the impacts of natural disasters on human settlements and infrastructure. And for SDG 15, the target is to ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.

The article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards these targets. For SDG 13.1, the indicator is the number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected people attributed to disasters per 100,000 population. For SDG 13.2, the indicator is the number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. For SDG 11.5, the indicator is the direct economic loss attributed to disasters in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP). And for SDG 15.1, the indicator is the proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type.

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: bigislandnow.com

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