A worldwide coalition of more than 11,000 scientists from 153 countries warns "clearly and unequivocally that planet Earth is facing a climate emergency." The video below summarizes the declaration that was published yesterday in BioScience.
The article's authors are William J. Ripple and Christopher Wolf, both affiliated with the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University. They write that although scientists urged necessary action 40 years ago, "we have generally conducted business as usual and have largely failed to address this predicament." They state that the climate crisis is here and moving faster and at more severe levels than anticipated. This is evidenced by increases in greenhouse gases, the rapid disappearance of global ice, extreme weather, and ocean heat content—to name a few of the several indicators named by the scientists.
As summarized in the video, the authors and cosigned scientists agree on six critical steps that humanity needs to take to reduce the impacts of climate change.
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Quick and massive implementation of energy efficiency and conservation practices should replace fossil fuels with low-carbon or clean energy sources.
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The prompt reduction of emissions of short-lived climate pollutants such as methane, soot, and HFCs could slow climate feedback loops and may reduce the short-term warming trend.
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The restoration and preservation of ecosystems and wildlife are necessary due to the critical role they play in the carbon cycle.
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The reduction of the global consumption of animal products will lower GHG emissions in addition to freeing up croplands to increase the production of plant-based foods.
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We need to shift the economy away from carbon and dependence on the exploitation of ecosystems.
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The world population needs to stabilize, as it is currently still increasing by nearly 80 million people per year (more than 200,000 per day).
Humanity has to undergo "major transformations in the ways our global society functions and interacts with natural ecosystems." The authors conclude their declarative warning by stating that they "are encouraged by a recent surge of concern," thanks to strikes by schoolchildren, grassroots citizen moments, climate emergency declarations by governmental bodies, and ecocide lawsuits.
Sources: OSU, Bioscience
