Human civilization could end by 2050 and it's our fault
What's the story
It has been decades since we first started hearing about the drastic climate change, but it seems nobody has been taking those warnings seriously. And now, as it turns out, we may end up paying the ultimate price. According to a new report, climate change sitch is so adverse that it could wipe humanity off the face of this Earth by 2050.
Details
Climate change analysis backed by ex-Australian military chief
Australian think-tank Breakthrough National Center for Climate Restoration has released a new analysis report, backed by former Australian defense chief and senior royal navy commander, which predicts that we would live only for 30 more years if we don't pivot hard. Basically, all you 29-year-olds freaking out about turning 30 can start doubly freaking out, 'cause you're 'bout to hit your mid-life crises.
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Planetary, human systems reaching 'point of no return'
The report warns that if we continue on our current course, "planetary and human systems [are] reaching a 'point of no return' by mid-century, in which the prospect of a largely uninhabitable Earth leads to the breakdown of nations and the international order."
Outcome
Global temperatures could eventually rise by 3°C
According to the paper, failing to take immediate and consequential action could lead to "extremely serious outcomes" which scientists themselves are unable to quantify as they "fall outside the human experience of the last thousand years." In other words, we have messed up so bad like no one ever has in a millennium. The paper also states that global temperatures could rise by 3°C.
How bad
3°C not that bad? Think again
If you are thinking "Pfft! 3 degrees is not that bad," it's pretty freaking bad. The human body may not think of it as a big deal, but the ecosystem does. 3°C of global heating could amplify feedback, accelerating further heating, unleashing an irreversible "hothouse Earth." Several ecosystems "including coral reef systems, the Amazon rainforest and in the Arctic," would face obliteration.
Hothouse
What would happen if Earth gets jammed in "hothouse" mode?
35 percent of land area across the globe and 55 percent of all life on the planet would be subjected to over 20 days of "lethal heat conditions" a year "beyond the threshold of human survivability." The report adds that a billion people would be forced to relocate from unlivable conditions and two billion would face water scarcity. Food production would take a hit.
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If there's a way to save ourselves, this is it
"Massive global mobilization of resources is needed in the coming decade to build a zero-emissions industrial system and set in train the restoration of a safe climate," the report explains. "This would be akin in scale to the World War II emergency mobilization."
Caveat
'Extreme' conditions could be even worse
The authors added that the climate models today are conservative, so extreme conditions could actually be much worse. The report states that this is because conservative models don't account for tipping points and positive feedback loops- producing more greenhouse gases heats the planet, which melts polar ice, releasing trapped greenhouse gases, further heating the planet, causing more polar ice to melt, and so on.