Report on Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Alaska

Introduction

Recent discussions on Alaska’s environmental changes over millions of years highlight significant natural transitions unrelated to human activity. However, contemporary climate change presents unprecedented challenges directly caused by human actions, emphasizing the urgent need to address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to climate action, life on land, and sustainable communities.

Background and Expert Insight

Larry Hinzman, a renowned Arctic expert and former advisor at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, responded to previous narratives that may inadvertently support misconceptions about climate change. Hinzman stresses the critical distinction between natural historical climate variations and the rapid, human-induced changes occurring today.

Key Differences in Climate Change: Past vs. Present

1. Natural Climate Drivers: Historical climate changes were influenced by factors such as solar radiation variations, volcanic eruptions, Earth’s axial wobble, and large-scale weather patterns. These changes occurred over extensive timescales (10,000 to millions of years), allowing ecosystems to adapt gradually.
2. Human-Induced Climate Change: Current climate changes are occurring within approximately 100 years, a rate too rapid for natural adaptation, resulting in severe environmental, agricultural, and economic impacts.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 13 – Climate Action: The accelerated pace of climate change necessitates immediate mitigation and adaptation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience.
• SDG 2 – Zero Hunger: Climate-induced agricultural failures threaten food security, requiring sustainable agricultural practices and innovation.
• SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Infrastructure must be adapted to withstand extreme weather events and coastal flooding.
• SDG 15 – Life on Land: Protecting terrestrial ecosystems is vital as rapid climate shifts disrupt habitats and biodiversity.

Call to Action

Hinzman emphasizes the necessity for society to acknowledge ongoing and future environmental impacts and to implement comprehensive mitigation and adaptation measures. This approach aligns with the SDGs’ integrated framework to ensure a sustainable and resilient future for coming generations.

Conclusion

The current trajectory of climate change, driven by human activities, presents unprecedented challenges that require urgent and coordinated action in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. While some may remain skeptical, the evidence underscores the importance of science-based policies to safeguard the environment, economy, and society.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 13: Climate Action – The article discusses climate change, its causes, and impacts, emphasizing the urgency of addressing human-induced climate change.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land – The article references environmental changes affecting ecosystems, species adaptation, and natural history in Alaska.
3. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Mention of agriculture failures due to climate impacts connects to food security issues.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – References to infrastructure impacts and coastal flooding relate to sustainable urban development and disaster resilience.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity.
   • Target 15.9: Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning.
3. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.5: Reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected by disasters, including water-related disasters.
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators for SDG 13:
   • Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population (related to climate hazards and disasters).
   • Greenhouse gas emissions per capita and per GDP.
   • Coverage of policies and strategies that integrate climate change measures.
2. Indicators for SDG 15:
   • Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area.
   • Trends in the extent of natural habitats and biodiversity indices.
3. Indicators for SDG 2:
   • Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.
   • Prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition rates.
4. Indicators for SDG 11:
   • Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
   • Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: adn.com