Letters for Sept. 10, 2023

The answer to climate change

Introduction

Sue Lani Madsen’s recent article titled “Climate change too complex to blame on single cause” criticizes the question asked in the recent Republican debate regarding human behavior’s role in causing climate change. This article aims to provide a report-style analysis of Madsen’s arguments, with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Examining Madsen’s Arguments

1. Discrediting Climate Change

   Madsen questions the credibility of Michael Mann’s climate hockey stick graph, referring to it as “discredited.” However, numerous reconstructions and statistical methods support the original graph, indicating a significant spike in temperatures that Earth has not experienced in at least 10,000 years. This observation aligns with SDG 13: Climate Action, which emphasizes the need to combat climate change and its impacts.

2. Anthropogenic Climate Change

   Madsen compares anthropogenic climate change theory to the outdated “rain follows the plow” theory. However, unlike the speculative nature of the latter, climate change theory is backed by decades of precise measurements and computer analysis. The overwhelming consensus among climatologists supports the idea that human activity is a significant contributor to climate change. This aligns with SDG 13, which emphasizes the importance of taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

3. Consensus among Climatologists

   Madsen argues that human activity is just one of many causes of climate change. While it is true that climate change has multiple causes, the overwhelming consensus among climatologists is that human activity is a significant driver. Approximately 97% of climatologists agree on the existence and impact of climate change. This aligns with SDG 13, which calls for global cooperation to address climate change.

Majority of climate change is nature itself

Introduction

This section analyzes an opinion article by Sue Lani Madsen, titled “Majority of climate change is nature itself,” which argues against the notion that human activities significantly contribute to climate change. The following points highlight the key arguments made in the article.

Nature’s Role in Climate Change

• Nature as the Primary Driver

  Madsen asserts that the majority of climate change is driven by natural processes rather than human activities. However, scientific consensus, including organizations like NASA and the National Academy of Sciences, recognizes that human-induced factors, particularly the release of CO2 from burning fossil fuels, play a significant role in today’s global climate change. This aligns with SDG 13, which emphasizes the need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

• Predicted Consequences

  Madsen highlights potential consequences of continued warming, such as reduced snow caps, rising oceans, and challenges in crop irrigation. These predictions align with SDG 13, which emphasizes the importance of adapting to climate change impacts and building resilience.

• Proposed Solutions

  Madsen suggests developing desalination plants for drinking water, increasing atomic power generation, and potentially relocating to higher elevations or closer to the poles. While these solutions may address some challenges posed by climate change, they do not negate the need to reduce the use of fossil fuels, which is a key aspect of SDG 13.

What can we do about climate change?

Introduction

This section analyzes Sue Lani Madsen’s opinion essay titled “What can we do about climate change?” The article explores Madsen’s arguments against human-induced global warming and highlights the importance of addressing climate change as a society.

Addressing Madsen’s Arguments

1. Complexity of Climate Change

   Madsen argues that climate change is complex, implying that it cannot be attributed solely to human activities. However, scientific organizations, such as NASA and the National Academy of Sciences, recognize that human-induced factors, particularly the release of CO2 from burning fossil fuels, are the most significant drivers of global climate change. This aligns with SDG 13, which emphasizes the need for global cooperation to combat climate change.

2. Michael Mann’s “Hockey Stick”

   Madsen claims that Michael Mann’s “hockey stick” graph has been discredited. However, this graph continues to be cited in scientific papers and is supported by the scientific community. Dismissing the graph undermines the overwhelming evidence of human-induced climate change. This aligns with SDG 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

3. Importance of Action

   Madsen suggests that instead of denying climate change, efforts should be focused on finding solutions. This aligns with SDG 13, which emphasizes the need for immediate action to combat climate change and its impacts. It is crucial to address the challenges posed by climate change collectively as a society.

Conclusion

The articles analyzed in this report highlight the ongoing debate surrounding climate change. While there are differing opinions on the causes and solutions, it is essential to recognize the overwhelming scientific consensus that human activities significantly contribute to climate change. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13: Climate Action, emphasize the urgency of addressing climate change and its impacts through global cooperation and immediate action.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

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

• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The article discusses climate change, the need for desalination plants for drinking water, the use of atomic power generation plants, and the potential need to move to higher elevations or closer to the poles. These issues are directly connected to SDG 13 (Climate Action) as they address the impacts and actions needed to mitigate climate change. The mention of desalination plants and atomic power generation plants also relates to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), respectively.

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 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater
• SDG 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

The article highlights the need to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change impacts, such as rising temperatures, reduced snow caps, and rising oceans. This aligns with SDG 13.1. The mention of developing major desalination plants for drinking water addresses the target of increasing water-use efficiency and ensuring sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater (SDG 6.4). The need for atomic power generation plants relates to the target of increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (SDG 7.2).

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

• Number of desalination plants implemented
• Water-use efficiency ratio
• Percentage of renewable energy in the energy mix

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but based on the identified targets, indicators can be derived. The number of desalination plants implemented can be used to measure progress towards the target of increasing water-use efficiency and ensuring sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater (SDG 6.4). The water-use efficiency ratio can be used as an indicator to assess the effectiveness of water management practices. The percentage of renewable energy in the energy mix can be used to measure progress towards the target of increasing the share of renewable energy (SDG 7.2).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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: spokesman.com

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