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At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a dozen records are set every day. Globally, different sets of records make history, but for the wrong reason.
Despite the pandemic restraint of human activity over the past year, the number of so-called “planetary vital signs” hitting new highs and lows is paper Published earlier this week, we tracked a range of different indicators related to climate change.
Glaciers are melting at a record pace. Data show that sea level is at its highest ever and that the concentration of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in the Earth’s atmosphere is more dense than ever.
“I’m worried. I was surprised. I find it important for people to see these data together,” said William J. Ripple, a professor of ecology and co-author at Oregon State University. “My conclusion is that due to the temporary suspension of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are doing business almost as usual. .. But we [already] We will return to setting the high price of the new record. “
Treatises will be released on a recent scale and frequency Meteorological event Some scientists conclude that global warming is the cause.
Among the indicators are land and sea surface temperature anomalies that reached record highs in certain regions in 2020.
According to follow-up data, as the sea warmed to the highest temperature, its acidity was the highest recorded in seven years. The combination of these effects is known to bleach hot coral reefs. And there is concern that trends in these situations can quickly reach a “turning point.” Beyond that, it becomes difficult to undo the destruction caused.
One of the scientists’ key concerns highlighted in the treatise was the lack of lasting impact that the Covid-19 pandemic had accumulated on “significant” indicators.
“Major changes in human behavior in reducing energy consumption [as a result of the pandemic] The impact was very small, “Ripple explained. “At this stage, we need to think about major changes … Still, we are still in a fossil fuel society.”
Energy consumption from fossil fuel sources has declined as industry and services approached a halt in 2020 due to a pandemic. Still, global energy use from coal power is projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels this year. Natural gas sources rebound.
Eighteen of the 31 indicators tracked by a group of scientists have recently reached their extremes.
But not all are seen negatively — some provide a faint light of hope.
Wind and solar energy usage is expected to increase by a third this year, for example from 2019 levels.
The value of global subsidies for fossil fuels decreased by more than 40% in 2020 compared to the previous year.
In addition, sales of fossil fuel assets by pension funds, educational institutions, governments and other organizations continued to grow, rising from $ 11.5 trillion in the previous year to up to $ 14 trillion in 2020.
However, the authors now conclude that the scale of climate change measures is not sufficient to reverse the main trend of concern.
“We are in a climate emergency … It’s a very dangerous climate emergency,” says Ripple. “At this point, it’s important to do something that has a quick effect.”
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Planetary ‘vital signs’ show extent of climate stress — and some hope Source link Planetary ‘vital signs’ show extent of climate stress — and some hope
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