Report on the Scientific Consensus of Climate Change and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goal 13

Historical Foundation of Climate Science

A broad scientific consensus regarding the principles of the greenhouse effect has been established for over a century, forming the bedrock of our understanding required to address SDG 13: Climate Action. This historical context demonstrates that the fundamentals of climate change are not a recent discovery.

1. 1824: Joseph Fourier’s initial calculations suggested the atmosphere traps heat, a foundational concept for understanding planetary climate systems.
2. 1896: Svante Arrhenius quantified the potential impact of increased greenhouse gas concentrations on global temperatures, providing early models that align with current climate projections.

The Greenhouse Effect Mechanism and its Link to SDG 7 and SDG 9

The scientific mechanism of the greenhouse effect is a core principle in climate science. Understanding this process is vital for developing strategies related to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), as it highlights the direct impact of emissions from energy production and industrial activities.

• Atmospheric gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), act as a thermal blanket.
• These gases trap outgoing heat that would otherwise escape into space.
• A portion of this trapped heat is radiated back towards the Earth’s surface.
• This process leads to a cumulative build-up of heat and a rise in global average temperatures.

Modern Consensus and the Imperative for SDG 13: Climate Action

The contemporary scientific community has reached an unequivocal conclusion on the cause of modern warming, reinforcing the urgency of global cooperation under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) to achieve climate targets.

In its 2021 report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded the following:

• It is unequivocal that human activities, through the emission of greenhouse gases, are the primary driver of modern global warming.

This definitive assessment solidifies the scientific basis for SDG 13: Climate Action, which calls for immediate and comprehensive measures to combat climate change and mitigate its widespread impacts on ecosystems and human societies.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

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

The article primarily addresses issues related to climate change, scientific education, and the importance of access to reliable information, which connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 13: Climate Action: The core subject of the article is the scientific basis of the greenhouse effect and human-induced climate change. It explicitly discusses “human emission of greenhouse gases” as the “primary cause of modern warming,” which is the central theme of SDG 13.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article serves as an educational tool to inform the public about the “settled science” of climate change. By debunking misinformation and explaining the history and science of the greenhouse effect, it contributes to public knowledge and awareness, a key aspect of quality education for sustainable development.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article heavily emphasizes the role of journalism, fact-checking, and access to reliable information in combating disinformation. It states that “high quality journalism…becomes a force against the disinformation that aims to divide people” and calls for “citizen involvement in fact-checking.” This directly supports the goal of building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions and ensuring public access to information.

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

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

• Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.
  
  The article is a “fact brief” designed to educate readers about the scientific consensus on climate change. By explaining that “the basic science of the greenhouse effect is fairly simple” and citing the IPCC’s conclusion, it directly works to improve education and awareness on the issue.
• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development…
  
  The article provides learners (the general public) with foundational knowledge about climate science. It aims to equip readers with the facts needed to understand sustainable development challenges, specifically the “unequivocal” role of human emissions in global warming.
• Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.
  
  The entire premise of Wisconsin Watch and its partnership with Gigafact, as described in the article, is to provide the public with access to verified information. The text highlights the end of Meta’s fact-checking program to underscore “the importance of citizen involvement in fact-checking” and provides tools for the public to “submit a tip” and “post our published briefs to inform the debates.” This is a direct effort to ensure public access to information and combat the spread of falsehoods.

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

The article mentions or implies several indicators for measuring progress:

• Indicator related to Target 13.3 & 4.7 (Indicator 4.7.1/13.3.1): The existence and dissemination of materials like this “fact brief” serve as an indicator. The article itself is a piece of educational material aimed at mainstreaming education for sustainable development. The call to “post our published briefs to inform the debates happening in your social media channels” implies a measure of progress through the reach and engagement with these educational materials.
• Indicator related to Target 13.2 (Indicator 13.2.2): The article explicitly mentions “human emission of greenhouse gases” and “higher concentrations of greenhouse gases” as the core issue. This points to the “Total greenhouse gas emissions per year” as the key indicator for tracking the problem that the article is educating the public about.
• Indicator related to Target 16.10: The article’s description of its fact-checking work provides an implicit indicator. The number of “fact briefs” published, the public’s use of the “Submit a tip!” feature, and citizen involvement in sharing verified information are all measurable activities that contribute to ensuring public access to information. The article frames this work as a crucial service, especially after “Zuckerberg announced he was ending the fact-checking program at Meta,” positioning independent journalism as a key institution for this purpose.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wisconsinwatch.org