This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Monday, 9 August 2021
'Code Red For Humanity'?
The 6th report of the UN's International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predictably paints an horrendous picture for the future of the planet's climate (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/aug/09/humans-have-caused-unprecedented-and-irreversible-change-to-climate-scientists-warn). The IPCC confirm that human activity is changing the Earth's climate in 'unprecedented' ways. The report also concludes that some changes are now inevitable and irreversible. For example, in the next 20 years, we will breach the ambition of the Paris 2015 Climate Agreement. This was to limit the temperature rise to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Centigrade above pre-Industrial levels. This limit was always only an educated guess about rises, where the planet remained liveable. We must not, however, fail to acknowledge the efforts of those who have brought us to this position. Could we have a round of applause for climate change deniers; major oil and mining consortia; air travel companies; marine transport; manufacturers of concrete; motor car producers; large sections of agrobusiness; procrastinating/ self-serving politicians and providers of space tourism? The Covid19 pandemic held human-generated 'greenhouse gas' emissions back for almost a year. So, without their help, we would have never reached the present dizzy heights so quickly. The collective endeavours of these stalwarts may even prevent meaningful actions now!
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1 comment:
Does anyone else feel that 'life on Earth' is currently a bit like living in a giant sealed culture flask with a Bunsen burner blazing away underneath?
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