The ecological vital signs of the planet are in terrible shape, as per an updated report backed by around 14,000 scientists. Even before the new paper came out, it was known that it would provide grim insights into the future of our planet. The paper has been published in the journal BioScience.
The very first sentence of the research points out that the panel of scientists declared a climate change emergency that would result in “untold suffering.” The rest of the paper sheds light on how nearly every single measurement is now worse than before.
Three major steps to save Earth
“The updated planetary vital signs we present reflect the consequences of unrelenting business as usual,” the paper reads. “A major lesson from COVID-19 is that even colossally decreased transportation and consumption are not nearly enough and that, instead, transformational system changes are required, and they must rise above politics.”
The researchers behind the new report plan to measure Earth’s vitals again in a few years down the line, reports LiveScience. If we want to see the planet improve and mitigate some of the sufferings, the researchers advise taking three important steps. First, stopping the use of fossil fuels then imposing a price hike on carbon to reduce emissions, finally protecting and restoring Earth’s forests, wetlands, and other natural carbon sinks.
“Implementing these three policies soon will help ensure the long-term sustainability of human civilization and give future generations the opportunity to thrive,” the paper reads. “The speed of change is essential, and new climate policies should be part of COVID-19 recovery plans.”
Earth is taking in more carbon
As per another research, Earth is sucking up huge amounts of carbon from the atmosphere than estimated earlier. The new research will allow scientists to make more accurate projections about climate change, and also provide clues about how to artificially reduce carbon from the atmosphere and beneath the Earth’s surface.
The paper also hints that rocks that are being pushed deeper can become more magnesium-rich, making the carbonate less likely to be spewed out in a volcanic eruption. These rocks eventually turn into diamonds if the pressure is sufficient.
