Interconnectedness of the Goals: Goal 13 & Goal 14
Updated: Nov 4, 2018
Image credit: Geoff Whalan
One of the most exciting aspects of the Global Goals is their interconnectedness. Previously, the multiple areas of development have been treated rather separately within their own categories. Now, however, we have a way to explore how social, environmental and economic development are all related to one another. This year, we are exploring how each goal and their associated targets need to see the achievement of each other in order to be fulfilled as a whole.
Goal 13: Climate Action and Goal 14: Life Below Water
Goal 13 aims to ensure we take urgent action to mitigate climate change and strengthen resilience against climate-related disasters and Goal 14 aims to conserve and sustainably make use of the oceans, seas and marine resources.
There is a rather obvious link between these two goals as they are both focused on environmental sustainability.
As we have seen with the Great Barrier Reef over the last few years, there is a clear impact between climate and the health of the Reef. The Reef has actually been quite a prominent talking point over the last 12 months in politics, especially when it comes to coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is, quite literally, the whitening of coral and is due to increased water temperatures. These higher temperatures kill the algae which protects the coral. 95% of the reefs within the Great Barrier Reef are severely bleached according to a study in March last year. Scientists have advocated that the solution to the Reef’s heartbreaking demise is conservation and the mitigation of climate change. By addressing climate change, we will be able to see a lowering of sea temperatures, giving the reef a chance to begin the 10 year process of recovery.
To find out more about these two goals and their interrelatedness, you can read more by visiting #Goal13: #ClimateAction and #Goal14: #LifeBelowWater.
This article was originally published on the Global Goals Australia Campaign website.
#goal13 #climateaction #climatechange #goal14 #lifebelowwater