Chicago weather: Air quality ‘unhealthy’ for some as extreme heat watch issued – NBC 5 Chicago

Report on Extreme Weather Event in Chicago and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of the Meteorological and Environmental Situation

The Chicago metropolitan area is forecast to experience a significant weather event characterized by extreme heat, high humidity, and degraded air quality. This event presents direct challenges to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an extreme heat watch, effective mid-week, with projected heat index values reaching between 105 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Heat Index: Expected to reach 105-115°F on Wednesday and Thursday.
• Air Quality: Early week readings were classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” with a PM2.5 level of 128, attributed in part to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
• Duration: The extreme heat watch is in effect through Thursday evening, with continued warm and humid conditions providing limited relief, particularly in urban centers.

Impact on Public Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

The severe weather conditions pose a substantial threat to public health, directly impacting the targets of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. The NWS has explicitly warned that heat-related illnesses increase significantly during such events.

1. Increased Health Risks: The combination of extreme heat and high humidity creates dangerous conditions, elevating the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
2. Vulnerable Populations: Poor air quality, with high levels of PM2.5, compounds health risks, especially for sensitive groups including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
3. Strain on Health Services: Such events can place additional strain on emergency and healthcare services, highlighting the need for robust public health infrastructure to ensure well-being for all.

Urban Resilience and Community Impact (SDG 11)

This heatwave underscores the critical importance of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which aims to make human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The NWS warning that “continued warm and humid conditions Wednesday night will provide no heat relief, especially in urban areas” points directly to the urban heat island effect.

• Urban Heat Island Effect: The lack of nighttime cooling in urban centers exacerbates the health impacts of extreme heat, demonstrating a need for green infrastructure and sustainable urban planning.
• Community Resilience: The event tests the resilience of community infrastructure and public services, including the provision of cooling centers and effective public communication systems.
• Infrastructure Preparedness: Ensuring access to essential services like air conditioning and clean water is vital for community safety and resilience during climate-related shocks.

Linkages to Climate Change and Environmental Integrity (SDG 13 & SDG 15)

The frequency and intensity of extreme heat events are clear indicators of a changing climate, demanding urgent progress on SDG 13: Climate Action. Furthermore, the contributing factor of wildfire smoke connects this local crisis to broader environmental challenges addressed by SDG 15: Life on Land.

• Climate Action (SDG 13): This dangerously hot weather event is consistent with scientific projections of the impacts of global warming. It serves as a critical reminder of the need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
• Life on Land (SDG 15): The smoke from Canadian wildfires impacting Chicago’s air quality highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems. The degradation of forests, whether through climate-induced fires or other factors, has far-reaching consequences that cross national borders, affecting human health and well-being in distant areas.

Official Advisories and Recommended Public Actions

In response to the forecast, authorities have issued advisories aimed at mitigating public health risks. These recommendations align with the protective measures necessary to support community well-being under SDGs 3 and 11.

1. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
2. Remain in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible.
3. Avoid direct sun exposure and limit strenuous outdoor activities.
4. Stay informed by monitoring the latest forecasts and public health alerts.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article directly addresses health risks associated with extreme heat and poor air quality. It warns of “heat-related illnesses” and notes that the air quality is “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” connecting environmental conditions to human health.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The focus is on the Chicago area, an urban environment. The article discusses issues central to urban sustainability, such as air quality (“PM2.5 of 128”) and the specific challenges faced by “urban areas” where heat relief is minimal.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article describes an “extreme heat watch” and “dangerously hot conditions,” which are examples of extreme weather events intensified by climate change. The mention of smoke from Canadian wildfires also points to broader climate-related challenges.

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

1. 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 highlights the health risks from air pollution, specifically mentioning a “PM2.5 of 128” and air quality being “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” It also warns that “Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat,” directly linking environmental factors to health outcomes.
2. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality.
   • The article’s focus on Chicago’s air quality, including specific data from AirNow.gov on the Air Quality Index and PM2.5 levels, directly relates to this target of managing the environmental impact of cities.
3. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • The issuance of an “extreme heat watch” by the National Weather Service (NWS) is a clear example of an early warning system designed to strengthen resilience. The advice for people to “drink plenty of fluids, remain in air conditioning and stay out of the sun” represents efforts to build adaptive capacity to a climate-related hazard.

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

• Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted).
  • The article provides a specific, real-time measurement related to this indicator by stating, “The air quality ranked as a level three of six on the Air Quality Index, with a PM2.5 of 128.” This data point is a direct measure of air pollution in the city.
• Heat Index Values and Temperature Readings.
  • While not a formal SDG indicator, the article’s mention of “feels like’ temperatures as high as 115 degrees” and actual temperatures in the “mid-90s” serves as a direct measure of the severity of the climate-related hazard (Target 13.1). Tracking the frequency and intensity of such events is crucial for measuring climate impacts.
• Existence of Early Warning Systems.
  • The article implies the existence and use of an indicator for Target 13.1. The NWS issuing an “extreme heat watch” for the “entire Chicago area” demonstrates a functioning system for monitoring and warning the public about climate-related hazards.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nbcchicago.com