222 scientists agree: this is the biggest threat to future generations

222 scientists agree: this is the biggest threat to future generations

The devastating bush fires, which Australia devastated in 2020, demanded over 30 fatalities and led to widespread smoke poisoning and psychological stress, illustrated the blatant reality of the effects of climate change on human health. The increasing threat from climate change and its diverse effects were analyzed in the report “Our Future on Earth, 2020”, which was published by the global sustainability research consortium future Earth.

taken from a survey under

222 outstanding scientists from 52 countries,

The report identified five most serious global risks:

1. fail in the containment and adaptation to climate change.
2. Extreme weather events.
3. Significant loss of biological diversity that leads to the collapse of the ecosystem.
4. food crises.
5. water crises.

These interconnected threats are a significant risk of the health of our planet - the well -being of human civilization and the sustainability of the natural systems that it depends on. Every risk tightens the other and may lead to a cascading global system crisis. This understanding is crucial to go beyond isolated solutions, such as the mere removal of the vegetation to combat bush fires, as sometimes proposed by politicians.

Our common urgency to reduce our ecological footprint will determine the continuing prosperity of mankind on earth.

progress in the middle of global challenges

The report not only identifies global risks, but also illuminates the progress that has been achieved in technology, for example. Digital innovations are not only used for economic growth, but also for the protection of ecosystems and the promotion of fair societies. For example, digital technologies can increase energy efficiency, reduce emissions and enable people to monitor and protect ecosystems.

Despite the considerable pressure on the systems of the earth due to the "strong acceleration" of economic growth in the second half of the 20th century, there is the possibility to direct investments through financial instruments such as Greens bonds and sustainability -related loans into sustainable development.

Health as connecting lens

Linking these global risks is one aspect of human health and offers political decision -makers a practical perspective. If you look at the sustainable development from this perspective, the urgency and personal character of these risks become clear. We already see noticeable effects on health; The smoke of the Australian bush fires in 2020 exposed about half of the country's population for weeks of dangerous air pollution, which led to an increase in anxiety.

Despite the urgency of these risks, the transition to sustainable development also brings health benefits. For example, the switch to cleaner energy could reduce the 7 million annual deaths from air pollution by two thirds by 2030. This perspective illuminates potential synergies and helps to understand political decision-makers to understand the severity of the crises with which the world is faced with. Large-Leaderboard-2 Large-Leaderboard-2690 ADTester container ATester-Container-690 "Data-Ez-Name =" Healthy_Holistic_Living_Com-Large-Leaderboard-2 ">

call for global cooperation

dr. Gro Brundtland, Chair of the World Commission for the Environment and Development in 1987, confirmed the need for multilateralism in her contribution to the report. The future health of people depends not only on their own nations, but also on global cooperation and the recognition of the mutual dependency of all kinds. For Australia, this means the active support of international climate agreements such as the Paris Agreement and thinking about the health effects of its power plant coal exports, which are associated every year with over 440,000 premature deaths due to air pollution.

additional insights

Together with these findings, we propose further steps to make the report more comprehensive:

• Strengthening climate silence

  : Governments worldwide should give priority to the structure of resistant communities that can adapt to climate change. Infrastructure improvements, revised land use planning and targeted strategies can be part of the reduction in disaster risk.

• Promotion of renewable energies

  : Investments in renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind and hydropower can drastically reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• promotion of sustainable agriculture

  : Sustainable cultivation methods should be promoted to cope with potential food crises, protecting resources and biodiversity.

• Citizens' engagement

  : The encouragement of citizens to participate in environmental protection efforts can have a significant impact on local ecosystems and convey a feeling of responsibility to the parishioners.

• Innovation in sustainability

  : The promotion of research and innovation in the area of ​​sustainable technologies can lead to breaking through energy efficiency, waste reduction and general sustainability.

If we look at these crises from the perspective of health, we can clearly see the urgency of immediate action. Our current reaction will decide whether we can withstand tomorrow's climate challenges.

Our common future depends on recognizing and addressing these global risks with urgency, innovation and global cooperation. Future generations will benefit from the decisions we make today - or suffer from the consequences. Like Dr. Brundtland reminds us, this global health crisis emphasizes the mutual dependency of all people - and actually all kinds - on earth.

While we are progressing, it is worth noting that the future of humanity not only depends on individual nations, but on our joint efforts to promote a sustainable planet. The health of the people, the planet and all of his living things are closely connected - a truth that we have to assume if we want to successfully master the impending time.

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This article is based on Anthony Capon's original post "The Conversation" and updates it with current developments and a new perspective.

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