Climate Disaster: Half Of Earth's Vital Signs Are Now 'Code Red', Scientists Say

Almost half of Earth’s vital signs are now “code red,” scientists say. A new report sheds light on the severity of the situation, with 16 out of 35 “vital signs” that are measured to track climate change now “code red.”

These signs are now setting new records in terms of extremity. The report comes from a coalition of international scientists who say that the number of climate-related disasters are escalating.

iStock

Code Red: A warning by scientists

With natural disasters becoming more frequent and erratic weather patterns the new normal, scientists are urging governments and people around the world to take climate change more seriously – implying its effects in the near-future will become more pronounced.

“As we can see by the annual surges in climate disasters, we are now in the midst of a major climate crisis, with far worse to come if we keep doing things the way we’ve been doing them,” Science Alert quoted ecologist Christopher Wolf from Oregon State University.

Also read: Climate Change Turning Arctic Ocean Into Acidic Soup Where No Marine Life Can Thrive

iStock

The team of scientists refers to issues including increased frequency of extreme heat events, loss of global tree cover, and more cases of the dengue virus. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are now at their highest since records began – at 418 parts per million.

Other vital signs that were tracked by scientists include ice mass change in Antarctica, ocean acidity, surface temperature inconsistencies, and recent major flooding in the US. The report also makes references to climate change-related events in 2022.

“To avoid more untold human suffering, we need to protect nature, eliminate most fossil fuel emissions and support socially just climate adaptations with a focus on low-income areas that are most vulnerable,” Science Alert quoted sustainability scientist Saleemul Huq from Independent University, Bangladesh.

iStock

Also read: Helping Phytoplankton Grow In Oceans Could Fight Climate Change: Here’s How

By 2100, scientists predict a rise of 3 degree Celsius in terms of global warming. This type of temperature rise hasn’t been witnessed by Earth in about 3 million years.

Scientists have also put together a 35-minute documentary called The Scientist’s Warning to raise awareness about climate change. Their research was published in BioScience.

What do you think about the level of seriousness we accord to climate change? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading universo virtual.com.

References

Nield, D. (2022, October 28). Almost Half of Earth’s Vital Signs Are Now ‘Code Red’, Scientists Warn : ScienceAlert. https://www.sciencealert.com/almost-half-of-earths-vital-signs-are-now-code-red-scientists-warn