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SDG 13: Climate Action
（introduced by Feng Xianyi)
1.A brief explanation of the purpose of the SDGs
What (The specific manifestations of SDG13 issues)
1. Increased frequency of extreme climate events: Globally, extreme climate events such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall floods, and droughts are becoming more frequent. For instance, record-breaking high temperatures occurred in many parts of Europe, and wildfires raged; in some parts of Asia, severe floods caused by heavy rains inundated large tracts of farmland and urban areas; in some African countries, severe droughts persisted for long periods, affecting food production and residents' access to water. These extreme climate events damage infrastructure, threaten life and property safety, and impact agricultural production and economic development.
2. Sea level rise poses a threat to coastal areas: Due to global climate warming, melting of glaciers and thermal expansion of seawater have led to continuous sea level rise. Many coastal cities and island countries are at risk of being submerged. For example, island countries like the Maldives, where the area of some islands is shrinking continuously, have residents forced to relocate; coastal cities like Miami in the United States are facing problems such as seawater intrusion and intensified urban flooding, which have a significant impact on urban infrastructure and residents' lives.
Why (The Causes of the Problem)
1. Excessive Emission of Greenhouse Gases: Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have burned large amounts of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas) for power generation, transportation, and industrial production, releasing copious amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases. At the same time, changes in land use (such as deforestation and converting farmland) have reduced the vegetation's ability to absorb carbon dioxide, leading to a continuous increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and triggering global climate warming.
2. Unreasonable Population Growth and Inefficient Economic Development Models: The global population is constantly increasing, and the demand for energy and resources is continuously rising. Some countries and regions adopt energy-intensive and pollution-intensive economic development models, relying excessively on traditional fossil fuels and neglecting energy conservation and environmental protection. While pursuing economic growth, they have imposed significant pressure on the climate and environment.
How (Solutions)
1. Energy Transition and Energy Conservation: All countries should vigorously develop renewable energy sources (such as solar, wind, hydro, and bioenergy), increase their share in the energy structure, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. At the same time, promote energy-saving technologies and measures, improve energy utilization efficiency, and implement energy conservation and emission reduction actions in industries, buildings, and transportation. For example, promote energy-efficient appliances, develop green buildings, encourage the use of public transportation and new energy vehicles, etc.
2. Strengthening Ecosystem Protection and Restoration: Increase protection efforts for ecosystems such as forests, oceans, and grasslands, and formulate strict protection policies and regulations to prohibit illegal deforestation, excessive fishing, and other behaviors that damage the ecosystem. At the same time, actively carry out ecological restoration work, plant trees to increase carbon sinks, restore degraded grasslands and wetlands, protect biodiversity, and enhance the ecosystem's ability to adapt to climate change.
2.Challenges
1. Rising temperatures exacerbate climate vulnerability
1. Extreme high temperatures pose a threat to public health
- The highest recorded temperature in history reached 41.6°C (in Valledupar in 2016), far exceeding the human tolerance limit, which may cause heat-related diseases such as heatstroke and dehydration. This threat is particularly severe for populations in poverty-stricken areas lacking heat protection facilities.
- In the summer of 2023, the average temperature was 27.6°C (1.1°C higher than normal), with persistently high nighttime temperatures preventing the body from effectively dissipating heat. This led to increased energy demand (such as a surge in air conditioning usage), potentially resulting in power shortages and an escalation of carbon emissions, creating a vicious cycle.
2. Degradation of Agricultural Production Conditions
- Colombia's agriculture relies on tropical climate. An increase in temperature will shorten the growth cycle of crops and reduce their yields (for instance, the suitable areas for economic crops such as coffee are shifting to higher altitudes, but the soil fertility at higher altitudes is lower).
- The daily maximum average temperature of 32.7°C may intensify the transpiration of crops, leading to an increase in water consumption, and in arid regions (such as Santa Marta), small-scale farmers face the risk of running out of irrigation water.
2. Frequent Extreme Precipitation and Droughts Increase Disaster Risks
1. Increased Impact of Heavy Rain and Flooding
- In July 2017, the precipitation in Quibdo reached 48.1 mm. Intense precipitation can easily cause landslides (especially in the Andes region) and urban flooding, damaging infrastructure (such as transportation, housing, and water conservancy facilities), resulting in economic losses and casualties.
- In areas with heavy rainfall (such as around Quibdo), prolonged high humidity may exacerbate crop diseases and pests (such as coffee rust), further threatening agricultural income.
2. Water resource crisis intensifies in arid regions
- Regions like Santa Marta, which are prone to drought, are facing the dual pressures of reduced precipitation and rising temperatures. The surface runoff and groundwater levels have dropped, affecting water supply for residents, agricultural irrigation, and industrial production.
- Water shortages may lead to social conflicts (such as disputes over water resources between farmers and herders) and force population migration to cities, exacerbating the environmental pressure in urban slums.
3. Imbalance of Ecosystems Threaten Carbon Sink Function and Biodiversity
1. Decreased Carbon Sequestration Capacity of the Amazon Rainforest
- High temperatures and drought may increase the risk of forest fires (such as the abnormal high temperatures in the summer of 2023), destroying the vegetation and releasing a large amount of carbon dioxide, thereby weakening its carbon sink function as the "lungs of the Earth", and in turn exacerbating global warming.
- Loss of Biodiversity: The degradation of the rainforest leads to the reduction of habitats for endemic species, such as sloths and macaws, putting them at risk of extinction. The disruption of the ecological chain may affect ecological services such as pollination and soil conservation.
2. Glacier Melting in the Andes Mountains
- Although the data does not specifically mention glaciers, high temperatures will accelerate the melting of mountain glaciers, potentially increasing river flow (such as the Magdalena River) in the short term. However, in the long run, it will lead to water resource depletion, affecting the water security and agricultural irrigation for millions of people downstream.
3.Personal Response
- Daily Energy Conservation Actions: Many Colombians actively practice energy conservation in their daily lives. For instance, they prefer to use public transportation, ride bicycles or walk instead of driving private cars to reduce carbon emissions. In terms of household electricity usage, they develop energy-saving habits such as turning off lights promptly and setting air conditioning temperatures appropriately. They also choose to use energy-efficient appliances to reduce energy consumption.
- Participation in Environmental Protection Activities: Many Colombians actively participate in various environmental protection activities. For example, they participate in tree-planting activities to increase forest coverage and enhance carbon sink capacity; they participate in beach and river cleaning activities to protect the environment and reduce the indirect impact of pollution on the climate. Additionally, some people join environmental volunteer organizations to spread awareness among their peers about the dangers of climate change and the knowledge of how to respond, thereby enhancing public environmental awareness.
4.Comparison between Colombia and China in SDG13
- Policy System for Responding to Climate Change:
- Colombia: It has formulated a series of policies and strategies to address climate change, such as national climate change policies and national adaptation plans, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance adaptation capabilities. However, in terms of policy implementation strength and management efficiency, it is somewhat limited by factors such as economic development levels, and further improvement is needed.
- China: It has established a relatively complete policy system and management mechanism from the central government to local levels. It implements the strictest ecological environment protection system and has established a system combining carbon emission intensity control and carbon markets. For example, the comprehensive implementation of river and lake chief systems has clearly defined the responsibilities of river and lake chiefs at all levels, effectively strengthening river and lake ecological protection, and demonstrating outstanding performance in the comprehensiveness and efficiency of policy formulation and implementation.
- Renewable Energy Development:
- Colombia: It has abundant solar, wind, and hydropower resources and is actively promoting renewable energy development. However, it still faces challenges in technological research and development, capital investment, and infrastructure construction, and the speed of energy transformation is relatively slow.
- China: It has achieved remarkable achievements in the field of renewable energy. China is the world's largest producer and consumer of renewable energy, with leading installed capacity in solar, wind, and hydropower. It has also achieved significant results in technological innovation, such as continuous progress in photovoltaic technology, significant cost reduction, and the promotion of related technologies to other countries through the "Belt and Road Initiative".
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