Scenario 5

Extreme Weather and Climate Change

A coastal city is being hit by stronger hurricanes and higher sea levels each year. Storms are damaging homes, hospitals, and roads. The community takes a long time to recover from each event. Low-income neighborhoods are often the most affected, while the environment and coastal areas are also being damaged.

Which aspect(s) of this scenario are you most concerned about?

Answer Choice	Points	SDG Connection	Description
Low-income families are unable to relocate.	2	SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, Target 10.2	Vulnerable populations require additional measures to protect them from disasters.
	1	SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, Target 11.5	Cities with mitigation strategies and infrastructure have lower economic losses during disasters.
	1	SDG 1: No poverty, Target 1.5	Disaster vulnerability of the poor makes it more likely that they will remain in poverty.

Rising costs of rebuilding infrastructure.	2	SDG 9: Industry, innovation, and infrastructure, Target 9.1	Resilient infrastructure does not sustain as much damage from disasters.
	1	SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, Target 8.3	Workers are needed to install and maintain resilient infrastructure.
	1	SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, Target 11	Resilient city planning reduces the impact of disasters on businesses and homes.

Increasing frequency of global climate disasters affecting human populations in negative ways.	2	SDG 13: Climate action, Target 13.1	Communities and nations can strengthen their resilience and adaptive capacity to climate hazards.
	1	SDG 3: Good health and well-being, Target 3.3	The hosts that carry tropical and water-borne diseases tend to thrive in a warmer climate.
	1	SDG 14: Life below water, Target 14.1	Oceans can absorb greenhouse gases, but an excess affects the water’s chemistry. Coastal ecosystems make coastlines more resilient to storms.
	1	SDG 15: Life on land, Target 15.1	Coastal ecosystems are eroded by stronger storms.

Lack of strong government planning and cooperation.	2	SDG 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Target 16.6	All countries should be held accountable for their contributions to climate, since all nations are affected by it.
	1	SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, Target 11.b	Cities are responsible for the mitigation of and adaptation to climate-related disasters.
	1	SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals, Target 17.16	Strengthen partnerships to exchange information and innovations that can increase adaptive capacity to climate disasters.

Loss of power during storms highlights the need for reliable and renewable energy systems.	2	SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, Target 7.1	Localized, renewable energy sources can be maintained to ensure consistent access to electricity.
	1	SDG 9: Industry, innovation, and infrastructure, Target 9.4	Efficient energy-storage methods and technologies can mitigate power loss during storms.
	1	SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, Target 11.b	Resilience to climate change includes infrastructure to provide clean energy sources.