Image Source: NASA Climate Change
The status of the environment is a hot-button issue all across the world. Many scientists believe in the detrimental nature of global warming and climate change. Other individuals believe this premise to be political propaganda.
One specific organization out of Australia set out to find the real answer. After detailed research, the group came back with some rather scary findings. While we see cataclysmic events play out in popcorn big-budget films, some of these horrifying scenarios — according to this report — may actually happen in real life sooner than later.
Awareness From Australian Senate
Image Source: Business Insider
In 2017, the Australian Senate was thinking about ways to improve the country’s national security. One of the aspects looked into was the impact climate change may have on the country as a whole. Throughout the world, many are steadfast in promoting the danger of climate change — as well as the ways in which society contributes to this problem on a daily basis.
Citizens of Australia Standing Up
Image Source: Grist
Many citizens of Australia have been vehemently against any activity which could contribute to climate change. For instance, deepwater oil exploration in the Great Australian Bight (a noteworthy bay) caused considerable protest. Many associate this act with the increase in carbon emissions.
Women Not Wanting Babies
Image Source: Mashable
There are also growing numbers of women who have decided to not have children based upon their perceived direction of the world from an environmental standpoint. Some scientists have even been beset by depression over the prospects of the world’s dire situation. There’s been a recent desire to move family members to ‘safer’ locations rather than live in ones with environmental danger.
Fighting The Good Fight
Image Source: Breakthrough Online
In 2014, Breakthrough: National Centre for Climate Restoration was created in Melbourne, Australia. This think-tank outlet was formed as a means to combat climate change, whilst also raising awareness for it. In May of 2019, the think-tank came out with a very shocking report aimed at policymakers.
Dire News
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The think-tank outlet published a paper which details the possibility of a global crisis within the next 30 years. According to the research, the world in total could experience drought, famine, a crazy increase in temperatures, and scenarios of devastating floods. While Breakthrough: National Centre for Climate Restoration might not be a household name, one prominent figure endorsed the study in a massive way.
Admiral Chris Barrie
Image Source: News.com.au
Admiral Chris Barrie was the chief of the Australian Defense Force for four years. Clearly agreeing with the urgency in dealing with greenhouse gases, Barrie wrote the foreword for the report. He didn’t hold back when unveiling his controversial thoughts.
A Real Concern
Image Source: Climate Code Red : Quote Source: VICE
Barrie offered this sweeping thought on the paper — written by David Spratt and Ian Dunlop:
“[This paper] bares the unvarnished truth about the desperate situation humans, and our planet, are in, painting a disturbing picture of the real possibility that human life on Earth may be on the way to extinction, in the most horrible way.”
Context on Spratt and Dunlop
Image Source: Vimeo
Spratt is Breakthrough’s research director. Dunlop is interesting from the standpoint that he was formerly the senior executive of Royal Dutch Shell. This corporation previously held a relationship with the Australian Coal Association. Having experience in the field, Dunlop and Spratt didn’t hold back from delivering some rather alarming news.
The Scary Truth
Image Source: Wired
According to the report, climate change is described as an existential threat to human civilization. It also relays the notion that “extremely serious outcomes of climate-related security threats are far more probable than conventionally assumed.” When speaking about the current trajectory of the Earth, the report offers an even more frightening diagnosis.
Projecting Temperatures
Image Source: Business Green
Based upon the current trajectory of the Earth (using statistics measuring the warming climates), emissions may solidify 5.4 degrees of global warming. If this occurs, the report suggests that there would be “a high likelihood of human civilization coming to an end.” In terms of a timetable, this paper offers one in the not-too distant future.
The Year 2050
Image Source: Science News
As an overarching theme of the paper, human civilization may be at the point of no return when it comes to the preexisting damage within the environment. The report says that human civilization may be at risk of collapsing by the year 2050 — all due to climate change. The report further breaks down the potential damage by region.
Danger Posed to Ecosystems
Image Source: EPFL News
The world is chock-full of stunning and beautiful ecosystems. However, global warming/climate change has been reportedly linked to damaging these marvels. The report states that coral reef systems, the Amazon, and the Arctic could all suffer as a result of rising temperatures.
What It Means For Populations
Image Source: Live Science
The report also states that rising temperatures would make some regions of the world completely unlivable. Projections have one billion people needing to relocate from these extreme climates. Duly, two million people would face a scarcity of water. The domino effect could then crush agricultural hubs all around the world.
More From Barrie
Image Source: Australian Times ; Quote Source: Climate Codered
Barrie articulated even more from the paper?s foreword:
“I told the Inquiry that, after nuclear war, human-induced global warming is the greatest threat to human life on the planet. Today’s 7.5 billion human beings are already the most predatory species that ever existed, yet the global population has yet to peak and may reach 10 billion people, with dire implications absent a fundamental change in human behavior.”
Potential Areas of impact in 2050
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According to the report, 55 percent of the global population [2050] may be held hostage by more than 20 days of lethal heat conditions “beyond the threshold of human survivability.” North America is projected to suffer from considerable weather extremes (wildfires, drought), while the likes of West Africa and the Middle East may become completely unlivable. By this timeline, the world reportedly would not have enough food production to account for its 7.5 billion population (which will be an even higher number by 2050).
A Glimmer of Hope
Image Source: Wallpit
Of course, this paper is merely a projection based upon statistics accrued by various studies. Nothing is completely conclusive — though the environment is seemingly changing at a very rapid rate. According to Spratt and Dunlop, society as a whole can avoid the doomsday 2050 scenario.
Putting a Plan in Place
Image Source: Shutterstock : Quote Source: VICE
As a means to not completely incite mass hysteria, Spratt did offer this disclaimer on the report:
“A high-end 2050 scenario finds a world in social breakdown and outright chaos. But a short window of opportunity exists for an emergency, global mobilization of resources, in which the logistical and planning experiences of the national security sector could play a valuable role.”
The following question then persists: How can society as a whole help to prevent against climate change?
Steps to Take
Image Source: Bicycling Magazine
There are a few simple methods said to help mitigate the pitfalls of climate change. Cars pollute the air far more than — say — walking, biking, scootering, or taking public transportation. If one insists on driving, procuring an electric option is a far better alternative than one solely relying upon gas.
Changing One’s Diet
Image Source: YouTube
Here’s a rather crazy stat: If cattle were their own nation, they’d be the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases (behind both China and the United States). Cutting down on one’s consumption of beef can go a long way in scaling back on the carbon footprint left behind. Studies have also shown that the acts of one person has been proven to be influential over others (family members, friends). As such, this could further help in limiting climate change.
Making an Effort
Image Source: NASA Climate Change
If these reports are to be believed, the Earth may be in dire straights. When wanting to protect your own livelihood — as well as the future generations — one may want to take warning of climate change, and its accompanying issues.