World's Top Climate Scientists Say Humanity's On Thin Ice, And It's Melting Fast
Artificial intelligence has been at the centre of humanity's hype machine in the post-pandemic era. Even then, climate changes are still quickly eclipsing the planet, pushing countless regions into erratic weather and natural disasters. Now, scientists have another dire warning for humanity.
In its latest report, United Nations' climate watchdog said that "humanity is on thin ice" at the moment. While things may not be apocalypse-level bad yet, if what we've seen in the last three years (a pandemic, more natural disasters, dwindling access to natural resources) - that time couldn't be far off if we don't change our ways, or at the very least, our leaders.
"Humanity on thin ice - and that ice is melting fast"
The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently came out, and the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that "humanity is on thin ice - and that ice is melting fast."
"Our world needs climate action on all fronts ¡ª everything, everywhere, all at once," Guterres added. He urged the more affluent countries to aim for net zero emissions by 2040, while urging developing countries try to get there by 2050 - about 10 years before previous target estimates.?
Guterres also urged developed countries to stop using coal by 2030, and the developing ones to reach that target by 2040. Sounds unachievable, right? But there's no longer a choice in sight.
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At the same time, Guterres states that at the current speed of policy making and enforcement, these targets are very unlikely to be met.?
Think this is too far-fetched? UN's warning is very simple - if the world warmed by over 1.5 degree Celsius (2.5 degree F) in the next years, humanity's worst fears will come to life.
If our elected representatives continue to engage in whataboutery when it comes to climate action, the consequences will become more pronounced - be it in the form of water shortages, heatwaves, famines, and even infectious diseases. Given how the gap between the world's rich and the poor has continued to widen over the last few years, such events will affect those who are already vulnerable the most.
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While announcing the report, IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee said humanity has found itself at a "critical moment in history."
"The [choices] we make now and in the next few years will reverberate around the world for hundreds, maybe even thousands of years," Lee added.?
Given the apathy of our political class and the climate deniers that have permeated all spheres of life, this is a terrifying thought.?
Do you think your elected representatives are doing enough to fight climate change? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.
