An international group of scientists has stated that the Earth’s troubling indicators show we are entering a “critical and unpredictable new phase of the climate crisis,” and they emphasize that “urgent action is essential.”
In its annual report released today, a global coalition led by scientists from Oregon State University has concluded that the Earth’s declining health reveals a “critical and unpredictable new phase of the climate crisis,” highlighting that “urgent action is essential.”
The research team, led by OSU’s William Ripple and former researcher Christopher Wolf, highlights the need for policy reforms in various sectors such as energy, pollution, nature, food, and economy in “The 2024 State of the Climate Report: Perilous Times on Planet Earth,” which has been published in BioScience.
William Ripple, a distinguished professor at Oregon State University’s College of Forestry, remarked, “A significant part of life on our planet is at risk. We are currently witnessing rapid climate changes that threaten global life more than humankind has ever experienced. Overshooting our ecological boundaries is pushing Earth into climatic conditions more risky than anything encountered even by our ancestors.”
According to Ripple, out of 35 crucial planetary indicators monitored each year for climate change, 25 have reached unprecedented extremes.
The report notes that the three hottest days recorded occurred in July 2024, with fossil fuel emissions hitting an all-time high, alongside increases in global human population and ruminant livestock counts.
The human population is growing at about 200,000 individuals daily, while the population of ruminant livestock—such as cattle and goats, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and require significant resources—is increasing by around 170,000 daily.
In 2023, global fossil fuel consumption surged by 1.5%, spurred by significant rises in coal (1.6%) and oil (2.5%), according to the report.
There was also a 15% increase in the use of renewable energy, such as solar and wind, compared to 2022. However, the use of renewables remains only a quarter of fossil fuel consumption, and this recent rise is mostly driven by demand rather than large-scale replacements of fossil fuels.
The report reveals that global tree cover loss has escalated from 22.8 million hectares in 2022 to 28.3 million in 2023. Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane have also reached record levels.
Wolf, who is now with Corvallis-based Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Associates (TERA), expressed concern about the rising methane emissions, stating, “The acceleration in methane emissions is very alarming.” He also mentioned that nitrous oxide levels are at an all-time high.
Some additional worrying findings from the report include:
- The Earth’s average surface temperature has never been higher.
- Ocean acidity, heat levels, and average global sea level are at unprecedented highs.
- Ice mass in Greenland and Antarctica, along with average glacier thickness, have reached record lows.
- Twenty-eight feedback loops that amplify climate change risks, like thawing permafrost, have been identified.
- An estimated 2,325 heat-related fatalities occurred in the United States in 2023, marking a 117% increase since 1999.
Ripple noted, “Since our 2023 report was released, we have seen several climate-related disasters, including a series of heat waves in Asia that resulted in over a thousand deaths and temperatures soaring to 122 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of India. Climate change has already displaced millions, with the potential to displace hundreds of millions or even billions, which could lead to increased geopolitical instability and possibly societal collapse.”
The scientists aim to “provide clear, evidence-based insights that drive informed and bold actions from citizens, researchers, and global leaders.” They specifically advocate for the swift implementation of policies that:
- Establish a global carbon pricing system to limit emissions from wealthier nations and potentially generate funding for further climate initiatives.
- Boost energy efficiency and conservation efforts while transitioning from fossil fuels to low-carbon alternatives.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including short-lived pollutants like methane.
- Safeguard and restore diverse ecosystems, crucial for carbon cycling and storage.
- Encourage dietary shifts towards plant-based foods.
- Advocate for sustainable economic practices that significantly decrease overconsumption and waste among affluent populations.
- Incorporate climate change education into global curriculums to enhance awareness and promote action.
Wolf highlighted the limited progress made on climate change despite multiple reports from the International Panel on Climate Change and many other scientific publications and discussions. “The future of humanity hinges on our creativity, moral integrity, and persistence. If future generations are to inherit the world they deserve, rapid and decisive action is crucial.”
This year’s UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is scheduled for Nov. 11-22 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and Ripple stresses that significant advancements must be made during this gathering.
Collaborators on the climate report alongside Ripple, Wolf, OSU’s Beverly Law, and TERA’s Jillian W. Gregg include Naomi Oreskes of Harvard University, Michael E. Mann of the University of Pennsylvania, Thomas M. Newsome of the University of Sydney, Chi Xu of Nanjing University, Jens-Christian Svenning of Aarhus University, Timothy M. Lenton of the University of Exeter, Cássio Cardoso Pereira of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Stefan Rahmstorf and Johan Rockström of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Thomas W. Crowther of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.
The CO2 Foundation and Roger Worthington, an attorney and owner of Worthy Brewing in Bend, Oregon, provided funding for this research.
