The Planet is ‘Under Siege,’ Scientists Say
Earth has entered “uncharted territory” when it comes to climate change, and more than half of the planet’s “vital signs” are now at previously-unheard extremes, a new study finds. The study, published in the journal Bioscience endorsed by 15,000 scientists from around the world, is an update of a report on the planet’s “vital signs,” initially issued in 2019. The report summarizes the record extremes the planet faced in 2023, including record-breaking ocean temperatures, intense heat waves across the world, and incredibly low sea ice around Antarctica, and issues an urgent call to action. “Life on our planet is clearly under siege,” William Ripple, a professor of ecology at Oregon State University and the lead author of the report, said in a statement. “The statistical trends show deeply alarming patterns of climate-related variables and disasters. We also found little progress to report as far as humanity combating climate change….It is a moral duty of scientists and our institutions to alert humanity of any potential existential threat and to show leadership in taking action.” (ABC, The Guardian, Bloomberg, Vice)
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