Key Concepts Presentation 9

🌊 I. Life Below Water (SDG 14)

📌 Definition:

SDG 14 focuses on protecting oceans, seas, and marine ecosystems to preserve biodiversity, support livelihoods, and mitigate climate change.

🌍 Ocean Ecosystem Overview:

• Oceans are the largest ecosystem, hosting nearly 1 million known species.

• Marine environments provide food, medicines, biofuels, and carbon sequestration.

🔍 Key Ocean Challenges (2021 Data):

1. Plastic Pollution:

   • 17 million metric tons of plastic entered the oceans.

   • Projected Increase: 2x–3x by 2040 if unchecked.

2. Ocean Acidification:

   • Average pH: 8.1 – 30% more acidic than pre-industrial levels.

   • Acidification threatens marine life, disrupts food webs, and jeopardizes food security.

3. Tourism Pressure:

   • 80% of tourism occurs in coastal regions.

   • Tourism contributes $134 billion annually to the global economy.

4. Climate Change Impact:

   • Oceans absorb ~23% of human CO₂ emissions.

   • Ocean heat levels reached record highs, causing coral bleaching and ecosystem loss.

5. Global Fisheries:

   • Provide 57 million jobs worldwide.

   • Serve as the primary protein source for >50% of people in Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

🌱 Key Concept: Blue Carbon

• Definition: Carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems.

• Examples:

  • 🌱 Mangroves

  • 🌾 Salt Marshes

  • 🌊 Seagrass Beds

🛑 Major Environmental Concerns:

1. Dead Zones:

   • Eutrophication causes oxygen depletion (e.g., Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone).

2. Garbage Patches:

   • Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a mass of floating plastic trapped by ocean currents.

3. Sea-Level Rise (1880–Present):

   • Global mean sea level rose by 8–9 inches.

   • Projected Rise (2100):

     • +2 feet with emission reductions.

     • +7.2 feet with high emissions.

❓ Sample Exam Question:

Which one below is not an ocean emergency?

• A) Eutrophication

• B) Acidification

• C) Plastic pollution

• D) Desertification (correct)

• E) Overfishing

🌿 II. Life on Land (SDG 15)

📌 Definition:

SDG 15 aims to conserve, restore, and manage terrestrial ecosystems while combating biodiversity loss and land degradation.

🌱 Key Components of Goal 15:

1. Protect and restore ecosystems.

2. Promote sustainable forestry.

3. Combat desertification.

4. Reverse land degradation.

5. Halt biodiversity loss.

🌏 Global Crisis Overview:

• Earth faces a "triple crisis" of:

  • 🌡 Climate Change

  • 🛢 Pollution

  • 🐾 Biodiversity Loss

Terrestrial ecosystems support >50% of global GDP and embody cultural, spiritual, and economic values.

🌲 Forest Ecosystems:

• Forests cover ~31% of Earth’s surface.

• Forests host 80% of terrestrial species.

🌾 Land Degradation:

• 2015–2019: 100 million hectares of land degraded annually.

• 1.3 billion people affected globally.

Main Driver: 🌴 Agricultural Expansion (90% of deforestation).

• Palm oil plantations: Caused 7% of global deforestation (2000–2018).

🐾 Biodiversity Loss:

• Wildlife populations declined 70% in 50 years.

Framework:

• 🛠 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022):

  • 196 nations committed to halt biodiversity loss by 2030.

  • Long-term goal: Nature recovery by 2050.

❓ Sample Exam Question:

Which practice contributes most to global deforestation?

• A) Urbanization

• B) Agricultural Expansion (correct)

• C) Mining

• D) Infrastructure Development

• E) Tourism Growth

🕊 III. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

📌 Definition:

SDG 16 promotes peaceful societies, justice for all, and strong, accountable institutions.

⚔ Why Peace Matters:

• Violent conflict disrupts development efforts, costs lives, and erodes resources.

• Stable societies foster economic growth, human rights, and social well-being.

🛠 Key Objectives of SDG 16:

1. Reduce violence and crime.

2. Ensure justice access for all.

3. Build effective, transparent institutions.

4. Protect human rights.

5. Eliminate discriminatory laws and practices.

🌍 Emerging Threat: Environmental Crime

• Definition: Illegal activities that harm ecosystems, wildlife, and communities.

• Examples:

  • 🌲 Illegal logging

  • 🐘 Wildlife poaching

  • 🛢 Pollution dumping

• Impact: Contributes to climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource exploitation.

💊 Biopiracy:

• Definition: Unauthorized exploitation of biological resources and indigenous knowledge.

• Also known as: "Scientific Colonialism".

🌐 Global Peace Index (GPI)

• Produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).

• Covers 99.7% of the global population.

Assesses Peace Across 3 Domains:

1. 🛡 Societal Safety & Security

2. ⚔ Ongoing Conflict (Domestic & International)

3. 🪖 Militarization

Resource: 🌐 Global Peace Index

❓ Sample Exam Question:

Which of the following is an example of environmental crime?

• A) Eco-tourism

• B) Carbon Trading

• C) Illegal Logging (correct)

• D) Wetland Restoration

• E) Wind Farm Development

🤝 IV. Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

📌 Definition:

SDG 17 promotes global partnerships to mobilize resources and ensure inclusive, sustainable development.

🌏 Why Partnerships Are Crucial:

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require collaborative action between governments, businesses, and civil society.

• Global cooperation helps low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) overcome economic, social, and environmental challenges.

💲 Key Financial Mechanism: Official Development Assistance (ODA)

• Definition: Government aid that supports economic growth in developing nations.

• Governing Body: OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development).

• UN Target: ODA should equal 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI).

GNI Definition:

• The total income earned by citizens and businesses within a nation, including overseas income.

🌱 Challenges to Global Partnerships:

1. Debt Crisis in low-income countries.

2. Unequal resource distribution.

3. Lack of regulatory transparency.