Scientists Declare Climate Emergency
Eleven thousand scientists in 153 countries have declared a climate emergency & warned that untold human suffering is unavoidable without considerable shifts in the way we live.
The letter by the scientists is based on climate science that was first established in 1979 at the first World Climate Conference held in Geneva. For several decades various global bodies have agreed urgent action is needed, but greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise exponentially.
Scientists Declare Climate Emergency- A Warning Letter
William Ripple, professor of ecology at Oregon State University, said that despite 40 years of major global negotiations, humans have continued to conduct business as usual and have failed to address this crisis. He spearheaded the letter.
The Researchers Stated that “Clearly and unequivocally planet Earth is facing a climate emergency.”
According to scientists, there are minor positive indicators – such as declining birth rates and a rise in renewable energy use. Although most indicators suggest, humans are rapidly heading in the wrong direction.
Some of these steps include rising meat consumption, more air travel, chopping down forests faster than ever, and an increase in global carbon dioxide emissions. Researchers want the public to understand the magnitude of the crisis and realign
priorities.Scientists Declare Climate Emergency- The Main Objectives of The Letter
The letter focuses on six key objectives to reduce the effect of climate change:
- Replacing fossil fuels;
- Reducing pollutants like methane & soot;
- Restoring and protecting different ecosystems;
- Eating less meat;
- Converting the economy to one that has lower carbon emission and stabilizing population growth.
Professor Ripple said that there is an increase in global surface temperature, ocean heat content, including ocean acidity. He highlighted that ice is rapidly disappearing, as shown by declining trends in minimum summer Arctic sea ice, Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, including the glacier thickness. All of these rapid changes highlight the urgent need for action by various institutions.
Dr. Thomas Newsome, Lead author, from the University of Sydney, said measuring global surface temperatures remained essential but that a broader set of indicators should be monitored. This includes human population growth, tree-cover loss, energy consumption, meat consumption, fossil-fuel subsidies, and annual economic losses to extreme weather events.
Scientists Declare Climate Emergency- Toward A Better World
The authors of the letter said that despite the gloomy outlook, there is room for optimism.
Scientists ended with a positive note stating that schoolchildren are concerned about the environment, ecocide lawsuits are swiftly proceeding in the courts. Grassroot common citizen movements are demanding change, and many countries and businesses are taking positive steps to combat climate change.
“Such swift action is our best hope to sustain life on planet Earth, our only home” Concluded the letter.
