The Climate Emergency Report - a wakeup call - Part II

The report is not all negative. It has praised some governments and institutions for taking steps to reduce pollution. Even before the report came out various entities including indivisuals, institutions, governments at various levels had started work to check climate change. An unprecedented mobilization is taking place. An organization called Climate Emergency Declaration has been formed to coordinate awareness campaigns and action in response to this emergency. Universities, clubs, private businesses, government bodies and citizens forums, are all coming forward to declare climate emergency and contribute positively to community and government action.

As mentioned earlier a lot of work had already started before the climate emergency report was published.  The scientists mention certain steps that need to be taken. These steps will improve the vital signs of climate deterioration. Humans will need to make certain lifestyle changes on a world-wide basis in order to achieve these goals. The report says that certain climatic changes may be too far gone to reverse. Humans will have to adapt to the changes and bring about transformations in the way they interact with global ecosystems.

The report says energy generation and consumption needs to be monitored. World needs to shift to renewable energy sources immediately. Use of energy should not lead to pollution as happens now. Extraction of fossil fuels and food production and consumption has caused a lot of damage to the environment. The report especially mentions meat production. The global per capita meat consumption has been increasing for decades.  The meat industry consumes a huge amount of water which is disproportionate to the people it feeds. Humans have to shift to a vegetarian diet immediately to conserve water.

Rising human population on the planet has been a worrying factor. A large number of people will need to consume a large amount of resources to sustain themselves. They also cause more pollution as the waste they generate is at a very high level. The report also touches on other vital factors like the world economy, income disparity and short lived pollutants. The scientists are emphasizing that mankind has to change its ways immediately. Nature gave us enough time to bring about changes in our societies. Political and economic considerations were given priority over environment. Now the time is running out. In some cases the tipping point may already have been reached. The vital signs of climate health have to be monitored and we have to see that they improve. If the signs do not improve, then we are not doing enough. Its either swim or sink.

In the past governments have been less than enthusiastic about taking drastic measures to mitigate or even counter the deterioration in climate quality. Making drastic changes disrupts livelihoods of a large part of the of the population which any government is reluctant to do.   However this time the scientists have the bit between their teeth and they may not take no for an answer.

 It is good for the world that such a report has come out. The scientists involved, saw the slow pace of changes that were taking place. This report will wake up one and all and make them do something. It says in no uncertain terms that if humans do not act to stop the deterioration in earth’s climate, their survival on this planet will be in question.  The authors of the report have upped the ante. The governments did not pay attention to the earlier warnings by various scientific organisations and scientists. This time by publishing an emergency report the scientists have made sure their warnings will not be ignored.