Earth's Vital Signs Are Worse Than Ever, Worrying Climate Scientists About Impending 'Collapse'

A multinational team of experts has warned that Earth's "vital signs" are worse than at any time in human history, implying that life on the planet is in peril.

An analysis published in the journal Bioscience discovered that 20 of the 35 planetary vital signals used to track the climate problem are at all-time highs.

The indicators include human and livestock population counts, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, global temperature, and sea level rise.

Climate Scientists Worried About Earth's Vital Signs

Many climatic records, including global air temperature, ocean temperature, and Antarctic Sea ice extent, were broken by massive margins in 2023, according to the study.

July had the highest monthly surface temperature ever measured, and it was most likely the hottest the planet had been in 100,000 years. The experts also emphasized an exceptional wildfire season in Canada, which resulted in enormous carbon dioxide emissions.

These amounted to 1 billion tons of CO2, which is equivalent to Japan's whole yearly production as the world's fifth largest polluter. They believe the massive fire may have signaled the start of a new fire regime.

The researchers advocated for a shift to a global economy that prioritizes human well-being and reduces the rich's excessive consumption and pollution. According to the report, the top 10% of emitters were responsible for about 50% of global emissions in 2019.

"Without actions that address the root problem of humanity taking more from Earth than it can safely give, we're on our way to the potential collapse of natural and socioeconomic systems and a world with unbearable heat and shortages of food and freshwater," said Dr. Christopher Wolf, at Oregon State University (OSU) in the US and a lead author of the report.

Life In Planet At Risk

Experts believe that the study clearly indicates that the life in Earth is clearly in danger.

By 2100, up to 3 billion to 6 billion people may be living outside of Earth's livable regions, where they will face extreme temperatures, limited food availability, and increased mortality rates.

"The statistical trends show deeply alarming patterns of climate-related variables and disasters. We also found little progress to report as far as humanity combating climate change," said Prof William Ripple of OSU.

He stressed that for decades, scientists have consistently warned of a future marked by extreme climatic conditions caused by ongoing human activities, but now "time is running out" as humans have caused dangerous instability in the planetary systems.

As a result, the analysis emphasizes the need to face the climate problem with justice in mind, according to Joyeeta Gupta, a sustainability scientist at the University of Amsterdam.

"I think it's really important that we bring this justice issue much more centrally to our narrative because otherwise we won't solve these problems; we'll just keep telling people that there are problems," she said.

The recent study is an update of a 2019 report that has been endorsed by 15,000 scientists.

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