Weatherwatch: how reducing air pollution adds to climate crisis
Weatherwatch: how reducing air pollution adds to climate crisis The Guardian
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Curbing Air Pollution for Sustainable Development
Curbs on the amount of greenhouse gases being pumped into the atmosphere are just one of the ways that politicians are reacting to the scientific evidence that we are damaging our health and our planet.
An even greater threat to human life in the short term has been air pollution in the form of particulate matter from the burning of fossil fuels, agriculture, and many industrial processes.
The Importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Clean air has become a crusade everywhere from Beijing to London, to save lives and improve economic output. At the same time as damaging lungs and hearts, the aerosols produced by pollution increase cloud formation, change rainfall patterns, and reflect sunlight back into space, thus cooling the planet.
Scientists studying the significant progress that has been made in cutting air pollution this century concluded that this success had also “added considerably to the amount of global warming we can expect”. The removal of pollution is already partly responsible for the “unprecedented rate of human-induced warming in the last decade”, they said.
Impact on Sustainable Development
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The problem is that carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, the main greenhouse gases, remain in the atmosphere for long periods, continuing to add to global heating, while the disappearance of aerosols instantly removes any protection. So, they say, less air pollution means we may expect continued acceleration of surface temperatures this decade.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the impact of air pollution on human health, the environment, and climate change. These issues are directly connected to the SDGs mentioned above.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
The article highlights the need to reduce air pollution to prevent deaths and illnesses (SDG 3.9), increase the share of renewable energy to mitigate climate change (SDG 7.2), improve air quality in cities (SDG 11.6), and strengthen resilience to climate-related hazards (SDG 13.1).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 3.9: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution.
- Indicator for SDG 7.2: Percentage of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- Indicator for SDG 11.6: Air quality index in cities.
- Indicator for SDG 13.1: Number of climate-related hazards and their impact on communities.
The article implies the need to measure the number of deaths and illnesses caused by air pollution (SDG 3.9), the percentage of renewable energy in the global energy mix (SDG 7.2), the air quality index in cities (SDG 11.6), and the impact of climate-related hazards on communities (SDG 13.1).
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution. |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | Percentage of renewable energy in the global energy mix. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | Air quality index in cities. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | Number of climate-related hazards and their impact on communities. |
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: theguardian.com
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