Native Plant Conservation Campaign News: More than 11,000 scientists call for urgent action to address climate emergency, activists concur in new viral video

November 8, 2019

 

In a new report, over 11,000 of the world’s leading climate scientists have added their names to a declaration of a global “climate emergency.”

 

Titled “World Scientists’ Warning of a Climate Emergency,” the article provides a comprehensive view, including updated analyses and metrics, of human activties which contribute to the emergency.  It presents data quantifying the losses in global plant cover, biodiversity, sea ice, and increases in emissions and athmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gasses, ocean acidity, population, temperature, among other indicators of the global environmental crisis.

 

The scientists also recommend a six part approach to solving the climate crisis, including conservation and restoration of native plant communities and ecosystems. The six areas identified are, in brief (details and supporting data are presented in the article):

 

1) Energy. The world must quickly implement massive energy efficiency and conservation practices,

2) Short-lived pollutants. We need to promptly reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, including methane, black carbon (soot), and hydrofluorocarbons.

3) Nature. We must protect and restore Earth‘s ecosystems. Phytoplankton, coral reefs, forests, savannas, grasslands, wetlands, peatlands, soils, mangroves, and sea grasses contribute greatly to sequestration of atmospheric CO2. Marine and terrestrial plants, animals, and microorganisms play significant roles in carbon and nutrient cycling and storage. Up to a third of emissions reductions needed by 2030 for the Paris agreement (< 2˚C) could be obtained with these natural climate solutions

4) Food. Eating mostly plant-based foods while reducing the global consumption of animal products, especially livestock, can improve human health and significantly lower GHG emissions

5) Economy. Excessive exploitation of ecosystems and natural resources, driven by economic growth, must be quickly curtailed. Goals need to shift from GDP growth and the pursuit of affluence toward supporting ecosystem and human wellbeing by prioritizing basic needs and reducing inequality.

6) Population. We must stabilize and gradually reduce the world population, making family planning services available to all people (and removing barriers to their access) and achieving gender equity.

 

A new viral YouTube video, featuring Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot, presents a similar message in a more accessible and sharable format. The activists call for many of the same approaches to the climate emergency recommended in the scientists' letter, particularly protecting, restoring, and funding nature and natural climate solutions and reducing consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.