The recent publication of a report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), titled “Climate Indicators and Sustainable Development: Demonstrating the Interconnections”, has brought climate change challenges into focus. The report studies seven climate indicators – namely carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, temperature, ocean acidification and heat, sea ice extent, glacier melt, and sea-level rise. The release of the report dovetailed with the United Nations General Assembly’s annual session and the establishment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Action Zone in September 2021.
Objective and Significance of the Report
The goal of this timely study is to make a contribution to the sustainable development agenda while inspiring global leaders to take robust action against climate change. Amidst increasing poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and persistent climate change, understanding the interplay between climate and international development has become an urgent matter. Global and regional climatic changes, such as fluctuating temperature and changing rainfall patterns, are leading to shifts in agricultural seasons. Furthermore, the exacerbation of El Niño events is causing more droughts and floods.
Rising CO2 Concentration and Its Impact
One significant finding of the WMO report is the potentially wide-ranging impact of rising CO2 concentration on all of the 17 SDGs mandated by the United Nations. Human activities resulting in increasing CO2 emissions are a primary cause of global climate change. If global warming and growing CO2 concentrations are not checked, it would gravely harm efforts to combat climate change under SDG 13, thereby posing a severe threat to the realization of the remaining 16 SDGs by 2030.
How Rising CO2 Affects Other Climate Indicators
Unchecked CO2 emissions would indirectly contribute to risks relating to the other six climate indicators studied by the WMO. For instance, elevated CO2 levels in the atmosphere will reduce nutrient content, thereby jeopardizing food security (SDG indicator 2.1.2) and subsequently, efforts to combat poverty (SDG 1). Increasing CO2 concentration in water leads to ocean acidification, directly affecting marine acidity (SDG Indicator 14.3.1).
Implications for Peace, Stability, and Access to Water
Food insecurity and loss of livelihood due to climate change can lead to conflicts over resources, thus endangering regional peace and stability (SDG 16.1). As rising temperature alters rainfall patterns and groundwater availability, there is an elevated risk of water scarcity. This directly impacts SDG 6, which targets universal access to water.
WMO’s Recommendations for Climate Risk Mitigation
Considering the potential risks posed by climate change to the realization of the SDGs, WMO recommends several strategies for climate risk mitigation. These include improving education (SDG 4), encouraging global partnerships (SDG 17), and promoting sustainable consumption practices (SDG 12).