Second scientific warning to humanity: we are endangering the future

2017/11/13 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ekologia
• Energia
• Energia berriztagarriak
• Ingurumena

25 years ago, the U.S. organization UCS (Union of Responsible Scientists) and more than 1,500 independent scientists, including the Nobel Laureates, published the manifesto “The World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity.”

In the manifesto, scientists expressed concern about environmental damage and claimed the need to change behavior. They called for population stabilization, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, non-use of fossil fuels, halting deforestation and recovery from biodiversity loss.

Now, an international team of scientists has decided to make a “second warning” and have gained even greater support by signing more than 15,000 scientists around the world. The document shows its discontent with the worsening trend in many aspects: the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, the destruction of forests to obtain agricultural land, the loss of numerous species, the increase of the population by 35%, the mortality of the oceans, the decrease of drinking water by 26%, etc.

On the other side of the coin, achievements have also been highlighted: reduction of substances that damage the ozone layer, development of renewable energy sources, decreased fertility in some areas and linked to girls' education, and even deforestation in other areas.

Individual and political demand

However, these changes have not been enough to curb the danger of catastrophe. Therefore, and hoping that politicians will respond to pressure, they call on scientists, the media and citizens to force governments to take action.

They also call on individuals to act responsibly, especially to have no more than two children and to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, meat and other resources.

On the political level, they demand the expansion of protected areas, the restoration of ecosystems, the prevention of food waste, the promotion of education, the analysis of the economic system taking into account its environmental impact, the change of diet to reduce meat consumption and the adoption of measures to curb population growth. And all this with the warning that it must be done as soon as possible and that soon it will be “too late”.