Scientists warn that Earth’s vital signs have reached ‘Code Red’

By Danny Halpin via SWNS

Earth’s vital signs have reached “Code Red” - and humanity is unequivocally facing a climate emergency, a team of top scientists have warned.

A special report states that 16 of 35 planetary vital signs used to track climate change are at record extremes.

New data shows more frequent and extreme heat waves, increasing loss of global tree cover due to fires and a greater prevalence of the mosquito-borne dengue virus.

The international team said that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have reached 418 parts per million, the highest on record.

Report lead author Professor William Ripple, of Oregon State University, said: “Look at all these heat waves, fires, floods and massive storms.

“The specter of climate change is at the door and pounding hard.”

Ripple and colleagues published the report, titled "World Scientists’ Warning of a Climate Emergency 2022," in the journal BioScience.

It follows on from a previous report five years ago which was signed by more than 15,000 scientists in 184 countries.

Co-lead author Dr. Christopher Wolf said: “As we can see by the annual surges in climate disasters, we are now in the midst of a major climate crisis, with far worse to come if we keep doing things the way we’ve been doing them.”

Co-author Professor Saleemul Huq, of Independent University Bangladesh, said: “Climate change is not a standalone issue.

“To avoid more untold human suffering, we need to protect nature, eliminate most fossil fuel emissions and support socially-just climate adaptations with a focus on low-income areas that are most vulnerable.”

Their report points out that in the three decades since more than 1,700 scientists signed the original World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity in 1992, global greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 40 percent.

Co-author Dr. Thomas Newsome, from the University of Sydney, Australia, added: “As Earth’s temperatures are creeping up, the frequency or magnitude of some types of climate disasters may actually be leaping up.

“We urge our fellow scientists around the world to speak out on climate change.”