A new report from leading climate scientists has issued a new warning that Earth’s ‘vital signs’ have reached ‘critical levels,’ with the ‘the future of humanity’ hanging on a delicate rope. This comes from a 2023 assessment published in the journal Bioscience, which analysed 35 key indicators of planetary health and found that 25 have already declined by record levels, including rising carbon dioxide levels and rapid population growth.
According to the scientists, the world is entering a new, unknown territory of ‘critical and unpredictable new phase of the climate crisis.’ The scientists call for immediate transformative measures to combat the climate crisis and emphasise on restoring the ecosystem.
Earth’s temperature hits record highs
Driven by record fossil fuel consumption, Earth’s surface and ocean temperatures reached all-time highs in 2023. The report reveals that the global population is increasing by approximately 200,000 people each day, along with 170,000 new cattle and sheep.
These trends are contributing to record greenhouse gas emissions, further intensifying global warming. The scientists identified 28 feedback loops, such as emissions from thawing permafrost, which could trigger catastrophic tipping points, including the collapse of Greenland’s icecap.
Extreme weather events and rising heat
Global warming is accelerating extreme weather events across the world. Hurricanes in the U.S. and heatwaves exceeding 50°C in India are exposing billions of people to dangerous levels of heat. The experts emphasise that without rapid, decisive action, the human toll will be catastrophic.
“We’re already in the midst of abrupt climate upheaval,” said Professor William Ripple from Oregon State University, who co-led the report. “Ecological overshoot—taking more than the Earth can sustain—has pushed the planet into dangerous conditions, unlike anything humans have ever witnessed.”
Climate change and societal instability
Climate change is already displacing millions of people, and the report suggests that hundreds of millions or even billions could be forced to migrate in the future. Such displacement could lead to geopolitical instability, and in the worst case, partial societal collapse.
The report also notes that the concentration of carbon dioxide and methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has reached record levels. Methane is 80 times more powerful than CO2 over a 20-year period and is emitted by fossil fuel operations, waste dumps, cattle, and rice fields. The accelerating growth of methane emissions is particularly concerning, according to co-author Dr. Christopher Wolf.
Resistance to change and the role of renewables
Despite a 15% increase in wind and solar energy use in 2023, coal, oil, and gas remain the dominant sources of energy. The report attributes this to the strong resistance from industries that benefit financially from the fossil fuel-based system.
The report also referenced a Guardian survey of hundreds of climate experts conducted in May 2023. The survey found that only 6% believe the world will keep global warming below the internationally agreed limit of 1.5°C. The researchers stress that avoiding even the smallest increases in temperature is crucial, as each tenth of a degree of warming could expose an additional 100 million people to unprecedented heat.
A broader ecological crisis
The climate crisis, the report argues, is part of a larger ecological and social breakdown, driven by pollution, the destruction of nature, and rising inequality. The scientists emphasise that climate change is a symptom of deeper systemic issues, namely ecological overshoot—where humanity is consuming resources faster than the Earth can replenish them. Without transformative changes, these systemic issues could lead to widespread human suffering and the degradation of ecosystems across the planet.
Urgent action needed
The scientists call for bold, transformative changes to combat the climate crisis. Among the policies they recommend are reducing the human population through education and empowerment for girls and women, restoring ecosystems, and integrating climate change education into global school curriculums. As nations prepare for the UN’s COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan in November, the report concludes with a final warning: only through decisive action can we avert severe human suffering and protect future generations.
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