Worrying Facts
Overview
Experts in Canada and from around the world released very worrying reports about the state of our Planet recently. Many of the reports include the word “unprecedented” to convey the seriousness and magnitude of the problems. Today, the level of carbon dioxide on earth is the “highest”; the temperature increase has been the greatest recorded; biodiversity is at its lowest point, and nature’s ability to give us and other animals our essentials like clean air, water good soil is severely declining. Species, including insects, are going extinct at an “unprecedented” rate, and we’re witnessing more extreme weather patterns “like never before”. And wildfires have seen an “unprecedented surge in the Amazon Rainforest this year”. Even the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees used the word “unprecedented” to describe the state and number of displaced people and refugees in the world today!
A big urgent goal is to reduce the pollutants we collectively produce by half within the next ten years. A recent report by C40 Cities (The Future of Urban Consumption in a 1.5°C World) indicates that a reduction in our consumption by 50% over the next ten years will be necessary.
Severe damage to planet biodiversity
One million animal and plant species are facing extinction within decades, a recent United Nations (UN) sponsored report warns. This landmark global assessment indicates urgent action is required now to safeguard biodiversity for a healthy planet.
Increased Conflict
One would expect to see progress in humans’ collective ability to resolve differences and conflicts peacefully rather than through violence. Sadly, the world’s leading measure of global peacefulness, the Global Peacefulness Index (GPI) indicates that over the past decade, (since 2008) the trend in peacefulness has deteriorated world wide by 3.78%. So, here is another area – not unrelated to global warming- where we, dwellers of Planet Earth, have gone backward rather than getting better…
Global Warming
Human activity has already caused a 1.0°C increase of global warming since the 1850s. Projections show warming of temperatures will continue if nothing is done. Sea levels will rise, affecting coastal land infrastructure, animals and sea creatures will lose habitat, compromising biodiversity. Summer drought conditions can be expected in many parts of the world. Extreme heat will also contribute to more severe and numerous wildfires.
Severe damage to planet biodiversity
One million animal and plant species are facing extinction within decades, a recent United Nations (UN) sponsored report warns. This landmark global assessment indicates urgent action is required now to safeguard biodiversity for a healthy planet.
Increased Conflict
One would expect to see progress in humans’ collective ability to resolve differences and conflicts peacefully rather than through violence. Sadly, the world’s leading measure of global peacefulness, the Global Peacefulness Index (GPI) indicates that over the past decade, (since 2008) the trend in peacefulness has deteriorated world wide by 3.78%. So, here is another area – not unrelated to global warming- where we, dwellers of Planet Earth, have gone backward rather than getting better…
Global Warming
Human activity has already caused a 1.0°C increase of global warming since the 1850s. Projections show warming of temperatures will continue if nothing is done. Sea levels will rise, affecting coastal land infrastructure, animals and sea creatures will lose habitat, compromising biodiversity. Summer drought conditions can be expected in many parts of the world. Extreme heat will also contribute to more severe and numerous wildfires.
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Worrying Facts
Overview
Global Warming
Endangered Biodiversity
Increased Conflict