An international group of scientists expressed deep concern on Tuesday that human activity is leading the Earth towards a climatic crisis that could threaten the lives of up to 6 billion people in this century. They candidly stated, “We are afraid of the unknown waters that we are now entering.”
In an article published in the journal Bioscience, a coalition consisting of 12 researchers from North America, Europe, and Asia emphasized the importance of telling the truth to the public about the crises we currently face. They revealed their astonishment at the increase in extreme weather phenomena in 2023.
The widespread occurrence of extreme weather events in 2023, such as droughts, heatwaves, and storms, has deeply impacted the scientific community. The authors of the report argue that the unprecedented temperature records and the alarming reduction in sea ice levels are clear indicators that human activity is “pushing our planetary systems into dangerous instability.”
This instability could result in up to 6 billion out of nearly 8 billion people on Earth living in regions that are no longer suitable for habitation due to the effects of climate change.
The report represents a significant update to a 2019 bulletin that was signed by over 15,000 scientists from 163 countries. The previous bulletin had called on governments to urgently and seriously address the need for changes in current economic systems with high emissions, warning of the potential for “unknown suffering” to befall the world.
Furthermore, the scientists caution against the notion that simply transitioning to renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels will be sufficient to ensure the survival of both natural and human systems. Instead, they provide the following recommendations:
- Implementation of policies aimed at reducing resource consumption.
- Global cooperation to ensure climate justice.
- Reorientation of economic measures to prioritize human welfare over growth.
- Support for the education and rights of women and girls.