Report on the “People’s Hearing on Extreme Weather” and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction

A “People’s Hearing on Extreme Weather” was convened in Pasadena, California, bringing together elected officials, advocacy organizations, and community members. The event, organized by the Climate Action Campaign, served as a platform to document the impacts of climate change and critique federal environmental policy. This report analyzes the testimonies and discussions through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting significant challenges to achieving targets related to climate, health, and sustainable communities.

2.0 Climate Action and Institutional Integrity

A central theme of the hearing was the urgent need for robust climate policy, directly addressing SDG 13: Climate Action. Concurrently, participants voiced concerns over the weakening of institutional frameworks intended to provide environmental protection, a matter relevant to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

2.1 Federal Policy and Institutional Failures (SDG 16)

• Speakers criticized recent federal actions, particularly the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announced intent to roll back the 2009 finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health.
• Representative Laura Friedman characterized these actions as an “attack on all science,” while Dr. Jerry Abraham of the South Coast Air Quality Management District questioned the absence of federal protection, undermining the principle of effective and accountable institutions.
• A student from Palisades High School attributed the destruction in her community to a “systematic denial of risk” and the “dissolution of safeguards,” pointing to a failure in governance.

2.2 Calls for Urgent Climate Action (SDG 13)

• U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and Representative Judy Chu emphasized the immediate need for climate action to mitigate impacts such as poor air quality and devastating wildfires.
• Wildfire survivor Dennis Higgins warned that without protective measures against greenhouse gas emissions, rebuilt homes would face the same threats, demonstrating a clear failure to adapt to and mitigate climate change.

3.0 Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts in Relation to SDG Targets

Testimonies from residents and experts detailed the severe consequences of extreme weather, which directly impede progress on several key SDGs.

3.1 Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

The hearing provided extensive evidence of the negative health outcomes resulting from climate change, a direct challenge to SDG 3.

1. Dr. Alfred Glover described how patients with cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses are “suffering with the consequences of climate.”
2. Chris Chavez of the Coalition for Clean Air shared personal experiences with asthma exacerbated by air pollution and the trauma of facing an approaching wildfire, linking environmental conditions directly to public health.
3. Sam Stracich, an Eaton fire survivor, highlighted the “long and stressful aftermath” of climate disasters, indicating significant impacts on mental health and well-being.

3.2 Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)

The testimonies underscored the growing vulnerability of human settlements, which conflicts with the objectives of SDG 11 to make cities and communities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• Residents from Pasadena and Pacific Palisades recounted the destruction of homes and property by the Eaton and Palisades fires.
• Rosanna Valverde, a Pasadena resident, noted, “These disasters aren’t rare any more. They’re becoming constant,” indicating a decline in community resilience.
• Representative Chu pointed to the “human cost of climate change,” including displacement and financial insecurity, which destabilizes communities.

3.3 Life Below Water and Life on Land (SDG 14 & SDG 15)

The hearing also addressed the broader ecological damage, impacting both marine and terrestrial ecosystems, which are protected under SDG 14 and SDG 15.

• Marine biologist Barbara Gentile testified on the effects of fires and extreme weather on ocean health, including toxic algae blooms and chemical pollution.
• The prevalence and increased intensity of wildfires, as discussed by multiple speakers, represent a significant threat to terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity, and land resources.

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

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The article directly connects climate change and extreme weather events to public health. Testimonies highlight the physical and mental health consequences of these environmental issues.

• Dr. Alfred Glover describes patients with “cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses” who are “suffering with the consequences of climate.”
• Chris Chavez mentions his personal experience with asthma and the fear of “waking up in the middle of the night being unable to breathe.”
• The article cites a study suggesting wildfires “were more deadly than previously reported” and mentions “illness, and deaths” as part of the “human cost of climate change.”

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article focuses on the impact of climate-related disasters on communities in the Los Angeles area, emphasizing the vulnerability of human settlements and the need for resilience.

• The event is centered on the experiences of residents from Pasadena and Pacific Palisades affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires.
• Testimonies describe the destruction of homes, with one resident finding “just rubble.”
• The article points to the consequences for communities, including “displacement, financial insecurity, illness, and deaths.”

SDG 13: Climate Action

This is the central theme of the article. The entire event is a “People’s Hearing on Extreme Weather” organized to demand urgent action on climate change and criticize the rollback of climate protection policies.

• The hearing was organized by the “Climate Action Campaign” to “safeguard climate change programs.”
• Speakers criticized the announced intent to “roll back the agency’s 2009 finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health.”
• Residents and officials call for treating the “climate crisis with urgency” and express concern that denying climate change prevents protective action.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

The article includes testimony on the cascading effects of land-based climate events, such as wildfires, on marine ecosystems.

• Marine biologist Barbara Gentile described the effects of fires and extreme weather on the ocean, including “toxic algae blooms to chemical pollution.”
• She emphasizes that the ocean “can’t testify for itself,” highlighting the need to protect marine environments from land-based activities.

SDG 15: Life on Land

The article’s focus on wildfires directly relates to the protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.

• The event features testimony from survivors of the “Eaton and Palisades fires,” which are examples of disasters impacting terrestrial ecosystems.
• The description of “abnormally intense and frequent fires” points to the degradation of land and forests.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The article highlights a perceived failure of governmental institutions to protect citizens and the environment, prompting calls for more accountable and responsive governance.

• Speakers criticized the Trump administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for decisions that “have weakened climate protection.”
• A student’s testimony mentions the “systematic denial of risk, the dissolution of safeguards, and the refusal to treat the climate crisis with urgency” as policy failures.
• A board member for the South Coast Air Quality Management District asks, “No federal government to protect us?”, questioning the effectiveness of national institutions.

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

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The article’s discussion of poor air quality, respiratory illnesses like asthma, and deaths from wildfires directly relates to this target.
• Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries…for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks. The call for the government to protect citizens from climate change and its health impacts aligns with the need for better management of health risks associated with disasters.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and…decrease the direct economic losses…caused by disasters. The article details the effects of wildfires, including deaths, displacement (“people affected”), and destroyed homes (“direct economic losses”).

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The entire article is a plea for increased resilience to extreme weather events like the “abnormally intense and frequent fires” described by a resident.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The criticism of the administration’s plan to “roll back the agency’s 2009 finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health” is a direct commentary on the failure to integrate climate measures into national policy.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities. The testimony about “toxic algae blooms to chemical pollution” in the ocean resulting from fires is a clear example of land-based activities impacting marine environments.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil…and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. The destruction caused by “intense and frequent fires” contributes to land degradation, a key concern of this target.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The article portrays the EPA and the federal administration as ineffective and unaccountable, with speakers criticizing the “dissolution of safeguards” and the feeling of being left without protection.
• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The “People’s Hearing” itself is an example of citizens demanding a more participatory and responsive decision-making process in the face of perceived government inaction.

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

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Implied Indicator (for Target 3.9): Number of deaths and illnesses attributable to air pollution and climate-related disasters. The article explicitly mentions “deaths,” “illness,” “cardiovascular disease,” and “respiratory illnesses” as consequences.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Implied Indicator (for Target 11.5): Number of people affected by disasters. This is shown through the testimonies of “wildfire survivors.”
• Implied Indicator (for Target 11.5): Direct economic loss from disasters. This is implied by descriptions of homes being “damaged” or reduced to “just rubble,” and the resulting “financial insecurity.”

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Direct Indicator (for Target 13.2): National policies on climate change. The article directly mentions a specific policy: the EPA’s “2009 finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health,” which the administration intended to roll back.
• Implied Indicator (for Target 13.1): Frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. A resident’s comment that “These disasters aren’t rare any more. They’re becoming constant” serves as an anecdotal measure of this indicator.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Implied Indicator (for Target 14.1): Measure of marine pollution. The testimony about “toxic algae blooms” and “chemical pollution” in the ocean serves as a qualitative indicator of marine pollution from land-based sources.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Implied Indicator (for Target 16.6): Public perception of government accountability. Statements like “No federal government to protect us?” and criticisms of the “systematic denial of risk” reflect a negative public perception of institutional effectiveness and accountability.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: latimes.com