Name

Liz Mary Feliz Peña

Teacher:
Carlitos

Degree
4HS

Subject
Science

Topics
What is ODs 13 and how climate change is
affecting the environment

What is SDG 13
SDG 13 refers to Sustainable Development Goal number 13, established by the
United Nations as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. SDG 13
focuses on climate action and aims to "Take urgent action to combat climate
change and its effects." This goal recognizes the urgency of addressing climate
change and its impacts, which include extreme events such as droughts, floods, and
sea level rise, as well as changes in temperature and precipitation patterns that
affect life on Earth.

SDG 13 urges countries to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,

increase resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change, promote education and
awareness on the issue, and strengthen international cooperation to address this
global challenge.

Specific targets: SDG 13 has several specific targets that target different aspects
related to climate action. Some of these goals include the integration of measures
to combat climate change into policies, education and awareness on the issue, the
mobilization of financial resources to support climate actions, and the
implementation of adaptation and mitigation strategies in different sectors such as
agriculture, energy, and industry.

Linkage to other SDGs: Climate change is intrinsically linked to many other

aspects of sustainable development, which is why SDG 13 is closely linked to
other goals of the 2030 Agenda. For example, climate action can have significant
impacts on poverty eradication (SDG 1), food security (SDG 2), health (SDG 3),
gender equality (SDG 5), conservation of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (SDG
15), among others.

Importance of international cooperation: Since climate change is a global

challenge that affects all countries, international cooperation is essential to address
it effectively. SDG 13 recognises the need to strengthen cooperation between
developed and developing countries, as well as the participation of multiple actors,
including governments, businesses, civil society and local communities.

Actions at the local and global level: While international climate negotiations, such
as the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), are important, the importance of
action at the local level is also emphasized. Cities, regions, businesses and
communities can play a key role in implementing measures to reduce emissions
and increase resilience to climate change.

In short, SDG 13 is critical to addressing one of the most pressing challenges of

our time: climate change. Its effective implementation is crucial to ensure a
sustainable future for present and future generations.

Climate change is affecting the environment

Rising temperatures: Global temperatures are rising due to the increase in

greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mainly caused by human activities such as
burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This increase in temperature has
consequences such as melting glaciers and polar ice caps, rising sea levels, and
changes in weather patterns.

Extreme weather events: Climate change is exacerbating the frequency and

intensity of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, hurricanes, and heat
waves. These events can have devastating impacts on communities, ecosystems,
agriculture, and economies.

Change in ecosystems: Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are undergoing changes

due to climate change. This includes alteration of natural habitats, loss of
biodiversity, changes in species distribution, and ocean acidification.
Impacts on agriculture and food security: Climate change is affecting the
availability and quality of water resources, as well as cropping patterns. This can
result in declining agricultural yields, food shortages, and rising food prices,
posing a risk to global food security.

Health risks: Climate change also has implications for human health, as it can
increase the spread of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, as well as
affect air quality and access to clean water and sanitation.

These are just a few examples of how climate change is affecting the environment.
It is crucial to take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase
resilience to climate change, and protect natural ecosystems to mitigate these
impacts and build a more sustainable future.

Loss of habitats and biodiversity: Climate change is contributing to the loss and
degradation of key natural habitats, such as tropical forests, coral reefs, and polar
ecosystems. This loss of habitats has serious consequences for biodiversity, as
many species depend on specific environments to survive. It is estimated that a
large number of species are at risk of extinction due to climate change and the
destruction of their habitats.

Displacement of populations: As the impacts of climate change, such as sea-level

rise, desertification, and land degradation, become more pronounced, many
communities face the threat of displacement. Millions of people are expected to be
forced from their homes in the coming decades due to extreme weather events and
environmental changes, posing significant social, economic, and political
challenges.

Risks to marine ecosystems: The oceans are undergoing profound changes due to
climate change, including acidification, warming, and oxygen loss. These changes
have serious consequences for marine ecosystems, including coral die-offs,
disruption of food chains, and loss of critical habitats such as mangroves and
seagrass meadows. This in turn affects coastal communities that depend on marine
resources for their livelihoods and food security.

Risk to water resources: Climate change is affecting the availability and

distribution of freshwater around the world. More intense and prolonged droughts,
as well as changes in precipitation patterns, are affecting the quantity and quality of
water available for human consumption, agriculture, industry, and aquatic
ecosystems. This can lead to conflicts over water and increased scarcity in
vulnerable regions.

Increased wildfire risk: Climate change is increasing the risk and severity of
wildfires in many parts of the world. Warmer temperatures, decreased humidity,
and changing precipitation patterns create conditions conducive to the spread of
fires. Not only do these fires cause direct damage to forest ecosystems, but they
also release large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, further contributing to
climate change.