Report on Recent Extreme Weather Events and Their Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

A. Introduction

Recent global weather phenomena, including a severe marine heatwave in the Mediterranean and extreme rainfall in Asia, underscore the escalating climate crisis and present significant challenges to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These events highlight direct threats to climate action (SDG 13), life below water (SDG 14), and the sustainability of human communities (SDG 11).

Mediterranean Marine Heatwave: A Threat to SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)

Event Overview and Temperature Anomalies

An unprecedented marine heatwave has been recorded in the western Mediterranean Sea, directly linked to the human-induced climate crisis, thereby impeding progress on SDG 13 (Climate Action). The severity and timing of this event are of significant concern.

• Location: The heatwave has affected large parts of the Mediterranean, with notable temperature spikes off the coast of Mallorca, Spain, and the Algarve region of Portugal.
• Temperature Data: Sea surface temperatures have frequently exceeded 30°C since late June. In some areas, temperatures were recorded at 5°C above the 20-year average for this period.
• Unprecedented Timing: While high temperatures can occur later in the summer, their presence in late June is without precedent, indicating a dangerous acceleration of climate impacts.

Impacts on Marine Ecosystems and SDG 14

The heatwave poses a direct and severe threat to marine biodiversity and ecosystems, undermining the objectives of SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

1. Physiological Stress: Prolonged exposure to extreme heat drains the energy reserves of marine organisms, increasing mortality rates.
2. Reproductive Disruption: Evidence suggests that some species enter a survival mode, ceasing reproductive activities, which threatens population stability and long-term biodiversity.
3. Ecosystem Collapse: The sustained thermal stress on marine life risks the degradation of entire ecosystems, jeopardizing the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans.

Extreme Precipitation and Storms in Asia: Challenges to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

Torrential Rainfall and Landslides in South Korea

Heavy rainfall in South Korea has resulted in a natural disaster with severe consequences for human life and infrastructure, highlighting vulnerabilities in achieving SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

• Human Cost: The event has caused at least four fatalities, with two individuals unaccounted for, representing a direct impact on SDG 3.
• Community Displacement: Over 7,000 people were evacuated, and nearly 3,000 have been unable to return home, challenging the goal of safe and resilient human settlements under SDG 11.
• Infrastructure Damage: More than 600 properties were reported damaged, and landslide alerts were raised to the highest level, demonstrating the vulnerability of infrastructure to climate-related disasters.
• Rainfall Intensity: Over 500mm of rain was recorded in the South Chungcheong province, indicating the extreme nature of the weather event.

Tropical Storm Wipha’s Impact on Southeast Asia

Tropical Storm Wipha has caused significant disruption across Southeast Asia, further demonstrating the challenge that extreme weather, intensified by climate change (SDG 13), poses to regional stability and sustainable infrastructure (SDG 11).

• Affected Regions: The storm impacted the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China, with projections for it to reach northern Vietnam.
• Disruption in Hong Kong: The city experienced over 110mm of rain in three hours and wind gusts up to 161km/h. This led to the cancellation of all Cathay Pacific flights for much of a day and damage to urban infrastructure, including toppled trees and scaffolding, directly impacting the functionality of a major global city as outlined in SDG 11.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal is relevant due to the article’s description of the impacts of extreme weather on human settlements. The torrential rains in South Korea led to evacuations, property damage, and the disruption of life for thousands of people, directly relating to the safety and resilience of communities.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  This is a central theme of the article. It explicitly states that the “human-induced climate crisis is making marine heatwaves more intense and prolonged.” The descriptions of the Mediterranean heatwave, torrential rains in South Korea, and Tropical Storm Wipha are all examples of climate-related hazards whose frequency and intensity are increasing due to climate change.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  The article directly addresses this goal by highlighting the severe impact of the Mediterranean marine heatwave on marine life. It notes that scientists are concerned for marine wildlife and ecosystems, as prolonged high temperatures can lead to the death of sea creatures and prevent reproduction, threatening the health and biodiversity of marine ecosystems.

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

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses…caused by disasters, including water-related disasters…” The article’s account of deaths, evacuations (“more than 7,000 were evacuated”), and property damage (“More than 600 properties were reported damaged”) in South Korea due to flooding directly relates to this target.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The events described—marine heatwaves, torrential rain, and a tropical storm—are the very climate-related hazards this target addresses. The negative consequences detailed in the article underscore the urgent need to build resilience against them.

3. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts…” The article’s focus on the “impact on marine wildlife and ecosystems from marine heatwaves” and how prolonged exposure can be lethal to sea creatures directly aligns with the need to protect these ecosystems from adverse impacts.
   • Target 14.3: “Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification…” While the article discusses ocean heating rather than acidification, these are two related consequences of increased atmospheric CO2. The mention of sea surface temperatures rising “5C above normal” points to a significant change in ocean chemistry and conditions, which is the broader concern of this target.

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

• For Target 11.5: The article provides data that aligns with official indicators.
  • It mentions “at least four deaths” and “two people still unaccounted for,” which relates to Indicator 11.5.1 (Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters). The “more than 7,000” people evacuated also falls under this indicator.
  • It notes “More than 600 properties were reported damaged” and the cancellation of “all flights for much of Sunday,” which are examples for Indicator 11.5.2 (Direct economic loss…including disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services).
• For Target 14.3: The article provides a key environmental measurement.
  • It states that “sea surface temperatures off the coast of Mallorca since late June frequently exceeding 30C (86F)” and were “5C above normal” in some areas. This measurement of sea surface temperature anomaly is a direct indicator of ocean warming, related to Indicator 14.3.1 (Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations), as both temperature and pH are key metrics for ocean health monitored by scientists.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theguardian.com