In a report, researchers are giving concrete suggestions on six measures to stop climate change.
Scientists have a “moral obligation” to say as it is and to warn humanity when it faces a disaster, the authors of the report, signed by over 11,000 researchers around the world, write.
They note that emissions continue to increase, and that a huge uptake of measures is needed to avoid “immeasurable suffering” as a result of the climate crisis. The report goes on to propose six important measures that governments, corporations and humanity are broadly urged to follow to minimize the worst consequences.
“We are ready to assist decision-makers in a fair transition to a sustainable and equitable future,” writes the researchers behind the report, released before the climate summit in Madrid.
Here are the researchers’ suggestions:
1. Change the energy sector
The world must rapidly increase energy efficiency and replace fossil energy sources with renewable and other cleaner energy sources (for example, hydro or nuclear), as long as they are safe for humans and the environment.
Wealthy countries must support poorer countries in transition away from fossil fuels. We must also abolish all subsidies for fossil fuels and use legislation to increase the price of carbon dioxide emissions.
2. Reduce air and climate pollution
We must reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants such as methane, soot and freons. This could slow down the feedback effects of climate change and reduce global warming in the short term, thereby saving the lives of millions of people and increasing food production in the world through reduced air pollution.
3. Protect ecosystems
Plankton, coral reefs, forests, savannas, grasslands, wetlands and the like help to absorb much of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We must quickly stop the loss of habitat and biodiversity, protect the forests that remain and increase forest replanting on a huge scale. These natural climate solutions could contribute up to one-third of all emissions reductions required by the Paris Agreement by 2030.
4. Change the food production
A plant-based diet and a global reduction in the consumption of animal products would improve human health and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including short-lived climate pollutants such as methane. This would also free up arable land to grow food for humans instead of animal feed. Some land could also be set aside for natural climate solutions such as forest planting (see point 3). We must also drastically reduce the huge amount of food being thrown in the world.
5. Change the economy
Predatory exploitation of natural resources and overexploitation of ecosystems, fueled by economic growth, must be quickly reduced. We need a carbon-free economy and our goals must shift from GDP growth and the pursuit of wealth towards preserving ecosystems and improving human well-being by prioritizing basic needs and reducing inequality.
6. Reduce population growth
We get 80 million more people on earth every year. The world’s population must be stabilized, preferably reduced gradually. This can be achieved, among other things, by making family planning accessible to more people and increasing equality and access to education for all, especially for girls and young women.
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