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 causing
the 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 societys resilience to climate
change (UNEP, 2010). It has also promoted a modification in consumer behavior and
energy management practices (UNEP).

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

excessive temperatures 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

environmental determinants of healthclean 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 change
also 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

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
SDGs 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 sustainable
development (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 SDGs (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 vectorborne 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

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

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FURTHER READING
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Change. Available at: http://dels.nas.edu/resources/staticassets/materials-based-onreports/booklets/ecological_impacts.pdf
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