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https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/08/earths-vital-signs-show-humanitys-future-in-balance-say-climate-experts>
"Many of Earth’s “vital signs” have hit record extremes, indicating that “the
future of humanity hangs in the balance”, a group of the world’s most senior
climate experts have said.
More and more scientists are now looking into the possibility of societal
collapse, says the report, which assessed 35 vital signs in 2023 and found that
25 were worse than ever recorded, including carbon dioxide levels and human
population. This indicates a “critical and unpredictable new phase of the
climate crisis”, it says.
The temperature of Earth’s surface and oceans hit an all-time high, driven by
record burning of fossil fuels, the report found. Human population is
increasing at a rate of approximately 200,000 people a day and the number of
cattle and sheep by 170,000 a day, all adding to record greenhouse gas
emissions.
The scientists identified 28 feedback loops, including increasing emissions
from melting permafrost, which could help trigger multiple tipping points, such
as the collapse of the massive Greenland icecap.
Global heating is driving increasingly deadly extreme weather across the world,
they said, including hurricanes in the US and 50C heatwaves in India, with
billions of people now exposed to extreme heat.
The scientists said their goal was “to provide clear, evidence-based insights
that inspire informed and bold responses from citizens to researchers and world
leaders – we just want to act truthfully and tell it like it is.” Decisive,
fast action was imperative to limit human suffering, they said, including
reducing fossil fuel burning and methane emissions, cutting overconsumption and
waste by the rich, and encouraging a switch towards plant-based foods.
“We’re already in the midst of abrupt climate upheaval, which jeopardises life
on Earth like nothing humans have ever seen,” said Prof William Ripple, of
Oregon State University (OSU), who co-led the group. “Ecological overshoot –
taking more than the Earth can safely give – has pushed the planet into
climatic conditions more threatening than anything witnessed even by our
prehistoric relatives.
“Climate change has already displaced millions of people, with the potential to
displace hundreds of millions or even billions. That would likely lead to
greater geopolitical instability, possibly even partial societal collapse.”
The assessment, published in the journal
Bioscience, says the concentrations
of CO₂ and methane in the atmosphere are at record levels. Methane is a potent
greenhouse gas, 80 times more powerful than CO₂ over 20 years, and is emitted
by fossil fuel operations, waste dumps, cattle and rice fields.
“The growth rate of methane emissions has been accelerating, which is extremely
troubling,” said Dr Christopher Wolf, formerly of OSU, who co-led the team."
Via Susan ****
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
