Scientists Warn That Earth's Vital Signs Have Reached "Code Red" as They Are Now at Record Extremes

An international coalition of scientists led by the Oregon State University (OSA) wrote in a report that Earth's vital signs have reached "code red" and that humanity is now facing a climate emergency.

They argue that 16 out of 35 planetary vital signs used to track climate change are currently at record extremes, SciTech Daily reported. These signs include heatwaves, rising global tree cover loss due to wildfires, a higher number of mosquito-borne diseases, and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere that has now reached their highest ever at 418 parts per million.

Scientists Warn That Earth's Vital Signs Have Reached "Code Red" as They Are Now at Record Extremes Pixabay/madartzgraphics

Earth on Code Red

William Ripple, a professor of Ecology at OSU and the report's lead author, said that the specter of climate change, such as heat waves, fires, floods, and massive storms is at the door and pounding hard.

Co-author Christopher Wolf, a postdoctoral fellow in Global Change and Biodiversity Conservation at OSU, added that the annual surges in climate disasters are signs that the planet is in the middle of a major climate crisis. He warns that worse outcomes are yet to come if humanity continues doing things the way they have been doing.

The study, titled "World Scientists' Warning of a Climate Emergency 2022" which was reported in Bioscience, tracks by five years the "World Scientists' Warning to Humanity: A Second Notice" that is co-signed by over 15,000 scientists in 184 countries.

Co-author Saleemul Huq of Independent University Bangladesh noted that climate change is not a standalone issue and that there is more untold human suffering because of it. That means humanity has to protect nature, eliminate most fossil fuel emissions and support socially just climate adaptations, especially in low-income areas that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

The original "World Scientists' Warning to Humanity" was signed by more than 1,700 scientists in 1992. Since then, global greenhouse gas emissions have increased by at least 40%.

Thomas Newsome, from the University of Sydney and another co-author of the report, said that the frequency or magnitude of some types of climate disasters may be leaping up as Earth's temperatures are rising. The scientists urge fellow scientists around the world to speak up about climate change.

2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference

The United Nations announced that from November 6 to 18, Heads of State, ministers, negotiators as well as climate activists, civil society representatives, and CEOs will be meeting at the Sham el-Sheikh in Egypt for the largest annual gathering on climate action.

The 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 27) builds on outcomes of COP 26 last year held in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom to discuss and deliver action on various issues that are crucial in addressing climate emergency.

That includes discussions on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, building resilience, and adapting to the impacts of climate change to deliver on the commitments to financially support climate action in developing countries. COP27 seeks to renew solidarity between countries to deliver on the landmark Paris Agreement as the world faces a growing energy crisis and increasing extreme weather events.