[mun 101] unep study guide

8/17/2019 [Mun 101] Unep Study Guide

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Social and Ecological Impacts of Climate Change in the view of the Post-2015

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

It is more than 50 years since climate change has been recognized as one of

the major environmental problems facing the globe. Climate change is defined by the

United Nations as the “change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to

human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in

addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods”

(UNFCCC). Ecosystems and living beings depend on the environment in which they

live. Climate change and global warming have a direct impact on these areas altering

natural processes and generating a chain reaction that leads to extinctions, diseases,

scarce resources, migration, among other consequences. Climate change is causingthe rapid rising of the temperature in the world. In fact, since 1997 a global analysis

shows evidence of the five hottest years in historical documentation (The Nature

Conservancy)— 2014 being the hottest year on record (EarthSky, 2015).

Carbon dioxide and other gases cause the increase of heat. If industries

produce these gases at high levels, the risk is that smokes accumulate in the

atmosphere and consequently, form a concentrated layer absorbing and keeping the

heat from the sun, thus resulting in greenhouse effect. The significant impact of this

process, has led to the creation of numerous initiatives to prevent, and counteract or

reduce the noxious consequences. Several organizations and covenants such as the

United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate

Change (IPCC), and many others (governmental and non-governmental) have been

working on projects to hinder or to mitigate the possible species’ extinctions, soil

erosion and habitat loss, consequences of climate change and global warming.

The UNEP has created programs to reduce greenhouse gases. These efforts

include the promotion of renewable energy, enhanced energy productivity and new

technologies, as well as the encouragement of the development of a carbon market.

UNEP is also concerned with the impacts of global warming upon society. Efforts have

been made to lower the risks as well as to improve society’s resilience to climate

change (UNEP, 2010). It has also promoted a modification in consumer behavior and

energy management practices (UNEP).


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The UNFCCC, through its convention of the parties, established the legally

binding Kyoto Protocol and the carbon dioxide market. This legal document urges

developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gases emissions. It also incorporates

developing countries in this process through the Kyoto quota and the carbon market

(UNFCCC, 1997). The United Nations Development Program has linked the

achievement of some of the Millennium Development Goals with global warming.

There is a strong nexus between climate change and eradicating extreme poverty and

hunger (MDG1) and ensuring environmental sustainability (MDG7).

This clear social impact of climate change has led to the Rio+20 Conference

parties to launch a process to develop a set of Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs) taking into account the effects of carbon dioxide and other gaseous footprints.This study guide will focus on the social (migration, conflict, health, labor, etc.) and

ecological (loss of biodiversity, scarce recourses, shifts in phenology, etc.) impacts of

climate change in the view of the new Rio Conference initiative: the Post-2015

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ecological impacts Climate change has

strong influences on the environment together with the flora and fauna.

The rise in temperature causes an alteration in the ecological processes in an

ecosystem. Moreover, the droughts or flooding destroy the biotic communities and

jeopardize the individuals living in it. There are several consequences of climate

change and global warming. In this guide we will focus on the most alarming ones:

biodiversity loss and atmosphere changes. Fauna and flora biodiversity rate is

changing rapidly due to human activities affecting the environment. Scientific studies

revealed that global warming is the second most important reason for biodiversity loss

(Sala et al., 2000). Small changes in temperature can result in large shifts in species

composition.

“Climate change alone is expected to threaten with extinction approximately

one quarter or more of all species on land by the year 2050” (Harvard School of Human

Health, 2012). Biodiversity loss caused by climate change occurs due to several

reasons: Physiology: Global warming is a threat because species have grown in a

certain temperature range and when it rises, they cannot adapt and consequently die.

Similarly, when they act as food suppliers of other species, their incapacity to adapt to


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excessive temperatur es may threaten the other species’ survival (Harvard School of

Human Health, 2012).

The phenology (the biologic clock) is also altered by climate change. Seasonal

behaviors, such as reproduction, growth rates, migration patterns or hibernation, vary

together with the seasonal changes (NCEAS, 2013). Shifts in species’ ranges: Animal

species have a specific living area, where they live, hunt, reproduce, and refuge.

Climate change causes an alteration in terrestrial and marine systems reducing the

suitable territory for the fauna (The National Academies, 2008). Rising temperatures

also have an influence on the atmosphere conditions, such as nutrient and water cycle,

droughts, risk of fire and floods (The National Academies, 2008).

In many regions the change in precipitation rates or the melting of ice/snow are

altering hydrological systems’ quality and quantity. Glaciers continue to thaw affecting

the water resources. The permafrost (or cryotic soil) is unfreezing in high elevation

zones. Moreover, higher temperatures in the sea cause pH acidification causing the

death of certain species living in it (Pachauri & Meyer, 2014). Social impacts Climate

change affects our society through impacts on human activities (cultural, social and

economic) and natural resources (EPA, 2013). For example, global warming disturbs

food and water supplies, human health, migration rates, conflict propensity,

infrastructure, energy supply and technologies, among others. In the case of

infrastructure and leisure activities, climate change may have a considerable aftermath

concerning tourism and recreational areas.

Populations depending on these recreational activities would feel the economic

impacts if tourism patterns modify. When temperatures rise and precipitation patterns

change, the touristic activities and seasons are limited. Climate change alters the

ecosystem of protected areas such as national parks and its attractiveness decreases.

In the case of beaches, these impacts may cause soil erosion in the coasts and the

possibility of storms due to the increase of the sea level a consequence of the glaziers’

melting. These events may decrease the amount of visitors (Karl, Melillo, & Peterson,

2009).

Climate change plays a fundamental role in human health. According to the

World Health Organization (WHO) in 2003 more than 70000 deaths product of the

extreme high air temperatures were recorded. Global warming “affects social and


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environmental determinants of health –clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food

and secure shelter” (World Health Organization, 2014). Exceeded air temperatures

contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases mainly among elderly people.

Elevated temperatures intensify the levels of pollutants in the atmosphere, directly

affecting the respiratory system. Similarly, climatic conditions have a fundamental

effect over the patterns of infection of water-borne diseases and disorders transmitted

through invertebrates (insects and snails) or other cold-blooded animals (arthropods)

(World Health Organization, 2014).

Higher temperatures tend to intensify the reproduction rate of insect vectors.

These changes in climate may lengthen the transmission seasons and alter the

geographic range of the vectors (World Health Organization, 2014). Climate changealso influences migration rates. It is agreed that the key drivers of migration are:

“factors related to the region or country of origin, including conflict, and lack of access

to resources (‘push’ factors); and factors related to the region or country of destination,

including the availability of employment and the access to resources” (Laczko, 2009).

As previously mentioned, global warming alters the ecosystems’ functioning and

causes the scarcity of resources (water, agricultural floor, food). This scarcity usually

triggers migration.

According to UNEP, environmental migrants are “persons or groups of persons

who, for compelling reasons of sudden or progressive change in the environment that

adversely affects their lives or living conditions, are obliged to leave their habitual

homes” (Warner et al., 2007). The global warming and migration link is starting to

become an issue calling the attention of the international community because of the

security concerns brought by the displacement of people. Natural disasters, gradual

environmental degradation and resources scarcity are the main drivers of migration(Werz & Conley, 2012, UNFCCC, 2007).

Migration may cause political instability and conflicts. When migrants arrive to

their destined place, the natives may see them as threats to the resources (Reuveny,

2007). The conflict escalates when they try to protect their supplies triggering political

instability. Sustainable Development Goals Due to its multidimensional impacts,

climate change has become a sticking matter in the international arena. As explained


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above, the United Nations and other organizations have generated efforts to tackle the

issue.

So much that at the Rio+20 Conference, one of the main outcomes was the

agreement of the parties to launch a process to create a set of Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs), based upon the Millennium Development Goals

(Sustainable development knowledge plataform, 2014). The target date for realizing

the Millennium Development Goals is 2015. In consequence, the United Nations’

members defined a new pathway post-2015 consisting in a development agenda. The

SDG’s are a set of 17 goals based on the Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Plan of

Implementation, the Rio Principles, and the United Nations Development Agenda. It

addresses and incorporates in a balanced way all three dimensions of sustainabledevelopment (Sustainable development knowledge plataform, 2014). Within the 17

goals, Goal 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts) is

directly linked to tackling global warming and climate change.

Moreover, the fulfillment of other goals depends upon on the plans to mitigate

climate change: Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere. One of the causes

for poverty is scarcity of resources (induced by global warming). In this sense, there

is a new program released to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030 and achieve

sustainable development. The program is “A New Global Partnership: Eradicate

Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development” and it is linked

to the SDG’s (High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, 2014). Goal

2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable

agriculture. To achieve this goal, there must be strategies to tackle land erosion and

food insufficiency caused by the rising of temperature. Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives

and promote well-being for all at all ages.

As previously mentioned, global warming plays a fundamental role in vector-

borne diseases. Ensuring health must go hand in hand with the initiatives to deal with

climate change. Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water

and sanitation for all, and Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas

and marine resources for sustainable development; and Goal 15: Protect, restore and

promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests,

combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity


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loss. These three goals will only be achieved when climate change diminishes

(Sustainable development knowledge plataform, 2014).

Conclusion Throughout this Study Guide, the nexus between climate change

and society has been clarified. Environment plays a fundamental role in social

dynamics, since it can be the reason for several phenomena like conflict, migration,

instability and poverty. The consequences of global warming are accelerating and

each time their impacts are more dangerous. The newly released goals post-2015 will

only be achieved if there is a clear roadmap to mitigate the effects of climate change.

In this committee we expect that you, as representatives of the member states,

generate suggestions, initiatives and plans to ensure the fulfillment of the SDG’s in the

context of biodiversity loss, scarce resources, high temperatures and natural disasters.


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REFERENCES

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University, Institute for Environment and Human Security, Germany. EPA. (2013,

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Protection Agency:

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Harvard School of Human Health. (2012). Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss.

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andbiodiversity-loss#sthash.a0Ol9ctD.dpuf

High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. (2014). The Report.

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Karl, T., Melillo, J., & Peterson, T. (2009). Global Climate Change Impacts in the

United States. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Laczko, F. a. (2009). Migration, Environment and Climate Change: Assessing the

Evidence. International Organization for Migration

Geneva. NCEAS. (2013). Science Highlights: Ecological Effects of Climate Change.

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Synthesis: https://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/science/climate

Pachauri, R., & Meyer, L. (2014). CLIMATE CHANGE 2014 Synthesis Report.

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http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/SYR_AR5_LONGERREPORT.pdf

Reuveny, R. (2007). Climate change-induced migration and violent conflict. Political

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Sala, O., Chapin, S., Armesto, J., Berlow, E., & Bloomfield, J. (2000, March). Global

Biodiversity Scenarios for the Year 2100. Science .

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The National Academies. (2008). Ecological Impacts of Climate Change. Retrieved

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d f

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since 1997. Retrieved December 2014, from Climate Change Impacts:

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American Progress.

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World Health Organization. (2014, Agosto). Climate change and health. Retrieved

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FURTHER READING

UNDP. Millennium Development Goals And Climate Change Adaptation. Available at:

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/environmentene

rgy/www-ee-library/climate-change/the-contribution-of-undp-gef-adaptationinitiatives-

towards-mdg1/17463_UNDP_GEF_MDGi1.pdf

UNEP. SDGs and the Post-2015 Development Agenda, including Sustainable

Consumption and Production Available at: http://www.unep.org/unea/sdg.asp

Open Working Group proposal for Sustainable Development Goals. Available at:

http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgsproposal Ecological Impacts of Climate

Change. Available at: http://dels.nas.edu/resources/staticassets/materials-based-on-

reports/booklets/ecological_impacts.pdf

Hideková Z., Krajcsovics L. & Martin P. Ecological footprint, climate change and cities.

Available at:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.sho

wFile&rep=file&fil=UrbEco_EcologicalFootprint.pdf
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs266/en/http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs266/en/http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs266/en/http://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/environmentenergy/www-ee-library/climate-change/the-contribution-of-undp-gef-adaptationinitiatives-towards-mdg1/17463_UNDP_GEF_MDGi1.pdfhttp://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/environmentenergy/www-ee-library/climate-change/the-contribution-of-undp-gef-adaptationinitiatives-towards-mdg1/17463_UNDP_GEF_MDGi1.pdfhttp://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/environmentenergy/www-ee-library/climate-change/the-contribution-of-undp-gef-adaptationinitiatives-towards-mdg1/17463_UNDP_GEF_MDGi1.pdfhttp://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/environmentenergy/www-ee-library/climate-change/the-contribution-of-undp-gef-adaptationinitiatives-towards-mdg1/17463_UNDP_GEF_MDGi1.pdfhttp://www.unep.org/unea/sdg.asphttp://www.unep.org/unea/sdg.asphttp://www.unep.org/unea/sdg.asphttp://dels.nas.edu/resources/staticassets/materials-based-on-reports/booklets/ecological_impacts.pdfhttp://dels.nas.edu/resources/staticassets/materials-based-on-reports/booklets/ecological_impacts.pdfhttp://dels.nas.edu/resources/staticassets/materials-based-on-reports/booklets/ecological_impacts.pdfhttp://dels.nas.edu/resources/staticassets/materials-based-on-reports/booklets/ecological_impacts.pdfhttp://dels.nas.edu/resources/staticassets/materials-based-on-reports/booklets/ecological_impacts.pdfhttp://dels.nas.edu/resources/staticassets/materials-based-on-reports/booklets/ecological_impacts.pdfhttp://www.unep.org/unea/sdg.asphttp://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/environmentenergy/www-ee-library/climate-change/the-contribution-of-undp-gef-adaptationinitiatives-towards-mdg1/17463_UNDP_GEF_MDGi1.pdfhttp://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/environmentenergy/www-ee-library/climate-change/the-contribution-of-undp-gef-adaptationinitiatives-towards-mdg1/17463_UNDP_GEF_MDGi1.pdfhttp://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/environmentenergy/www-ee-library/climate-change/the-contribution-of-undp-gef-adaptationinitiatives-towards-mdg1/17463_UNDP_GEF_MDGi1.pdfhttp://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs266/en/

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