Why we won’t be able to prevent climate breakdown without changing our relationship to the rest of the living world

Global Warming and Biodiversity Erosion: The Dual Challenge for Sustainable Development

Global warming and biodiversity erosion are two critical challenges that require urgent action to achieve sustainable development. While the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has extensively documented the impacts of global warming, the equivalent body for biodiversity, the Intergovernmental Sciences Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), has received less attention. However, it is crucial to recognize the interconnectedness of these two issues and address them together to effectively combat climate change and protect the living world.

Fossil Carbon and Living Carbon

The IPCC has emphasized that climate change is a stock problem, requiring stabilization of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere to halt global warming. Achieving net zero emissions necessitates reducing emissions and enhancing carbon sinks, such as forests and oceans. Fossil carbon, derived from coal, oil, and natural gas, accounts for 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions and requires an energy transition to renewable sources. On the other hand, living carbon emissions, originating from agricultural practices and deforestation, contribute a quarter of global emissions. Addressing living carbon requires a transformation in land use and agricultural practices to protect carbon sinks and reduce emissions.

Transitioning from Addition to Subtraction

Historically, energy transitions have involved adding new sources to existing systems, resulting in increased energy consumption. However, combating climate change requires a shift from addition to subtraction by removing fossil fuels from the energy system. This transition necessitates reconverting brown assets associated with fossil fuel production and investing in green alternatives. Disinvestment in fossil fuels is a significant challenge, impacting financial, physical, and human assets. Pricing carbon through taxation or emission trading schemes can incentivize the shift away from carbon assets, but careful consideration must be given to the distributive impacts and the need for redistribution to vulnerable populations.

Investing in the Diversity of Living Beings

The agroclimatic transition, addressing the impact of agriculture on emissions and biodiversity, requires investment in innovation, research, and development. Agroecological techniques can reduce emissions, enhance biodiversity, and improve resilience to climate change. Additionally, promoting smarter and more sustainable consumption patterns, such as reducing the consumption of polluting ingredients and animal products, is crucial. The management of oceans and marine biodiversity, often overlooked in climate policies, must also be considered to protect marine carbon sinks.

Conclusion

Addressing global warming and biodiversity erosion is essential for achieving sustainable development. The dual challenge requires a comprehensive approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of these issues. By transitioning from fossil carbon to renewable energy sources, transforming land use and agricultural practices, and investing in biodiversity, we can effectively combat climate change and protect the living world.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Relevant to the Article

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
   • Target 13.5: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible

2. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements
   • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Based on the information provided in the article, the following analysis can be made:

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

   The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 15: Life on Land.

2. Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content

   • Under SDG 13: Climate Action, specific targets that can be identified based on the article’s content include 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, and Target 13.5: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible.
   • Under SDG 15: Life on Land, specific targets that can be identified based on the article’s content include Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements, Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally, and Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

   The article does not mention or imply any specific indicators

   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: theconversation.com

    

   

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