New York - More than 11,000 scientists from 153 countries have
declared a climate emergency that could bring "untold suffering" if
urgent action isn't taken to conserve the biosphere.
"Scientists have a moral obligation to clearly warn humanity of any
great existential threat," the signatories say in a paper published
in Bioscience Magazine on Tuesday.
"Despite 40 years of global climate negotiations, with few
exceptions, we have generally conducted business as usual and have
largely failed to address this predicament," writes the alliance of
scientists, led by William Ripple and Christopher Wolf of Oregon
State University.
"The climate crisis has arrived and is accelerating faster than most
scientists expected."
The signatories suggest six steps that would lessen the worst effects
of climate change: replacing fossil fuels with low-carbon renewables;
reducing the emissions of pollutants such as methane; protecting the
earth's ecosystems; eating mostly plant-based foods and fewer animal
products; creating a carbon-free economy; and stabilizing the human
population.
The scientists say they are "encouraged by a recent surge of concern"
over the climate crisis, demonstrated by the student-led Fridays for
Future movement and other grass-roots campaigns.
"As the Alliance of World Scientists, we stand ready to assist
decision-makers in a just transition to a sustainable and equitable
future," the paper concludes, adding that humanity should "act to
sustain life on planet Earth, our only home."