Photo: Monika Kubala
The “World Scientists’ Warning of a Climate Emergency 2021” states that 18 out of 31 planetary vital signs have hit record-breaking high or low points in recent years. Despite fossil fuel use dipping slightly in 2020, levels of CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide have set new year-to-date records for atmospheric concentrations in both 2020 and 2021. On top of that, other tipping points or near-tipping points include rise in levels of ocean heat; ice mass loss; deforestation of the Amazon; ocean acidification, and the amount of ruminant livestock, now numbering more than four billion–a significant source of planet-warming gases. Six courses of action are needed immediately: eliminating fossil fuels, slashing pollution, restoring ecosystems, shifting to plant-based diets, transitioning away from economies that prioritize indefinite growth, and stabilizing the human population. Personally, I would add to that support for the many innovations I have posted about over the past two years.
www.commondreams.org/news/2021/07/28/planets-vital-signs-are-reaching-dangerous-tipping-points-amid-climate-crisis