SDG13 Climate Action - Irene

    Climate Action (SDG 13) aims to address the challenge of global climate change. The goal emphasizes urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts and is consistent with the goal of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

The goals of SDG 13 include strengthening countries' resilience and adaptation to climate change-related disasters, integrating climate change responses into national policies, strategies and plans, and raising public education and awareness.

 To achieve these goals, countries need to adopt affordable and sustainable solutions that promote the uptake of renewable energy and measures to reduce emissions. 

 In recent years, India has suffered from a variety of climate disasters, including floods, heatwaves, landslides, and hurricanes. From March to June 2024, the temperature in northern India soared above 50°C, and the overnight minimum temperature did not alleviate the hot weather, causing over 41,000 people to faint from heatstroke and hundreds to die. In addition, 211 people died from the heat across India. The highest temperature in Delhi reached 49.9°C, setting a new record.

    The specific causes of climate disasters in India include climate change, changing monsoon patterns, population growth and poverty, among others.

     Climate change has led to higher temperatures and more unpredictability of monsoon patterns, which have triggered extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and heatwaves.

     India's geographical features such as the Himalayan mountains and the monsoon system also have an important impact on climate hazards, with the northern Himalayan mountains affecting the monsoon airflow, causing localized precipitation concentration and flooding. 

     Climate change also contributes to rising sea levels, exacerbating flood risks in coastal areas.