World's climate has reached critical turning point

Analysis (in 2021) of a database of 88,125 climate-related, peer-reviewed, scientific papers published since 2012 found that more than 99% supported the conclusion that rapid global warming is occurring and is caused primarily by the human production of greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide and methane. This confirms and updates the findings of earlier such analyses that have also shown a strong consensus among climate scientists that global warming is a reality and that it is caused by human activities. (“Greater than 99% consensus on human caused climate change in the peer-reviewed scientific literature”)

This warming has already had harmful repercussions on a global scale. Extreme weather events (droughts, floods, heat waves, and more destructive storms), wildfire damage, insect damage to forests, sea level rise, ocean acidification, glacial melting, coral bleaching, and habitat loss are some examples of the adverse impacts of climate change that are currently affecting our planet. (“Impacts of Global Warming”) Close to home, the early onslaught of devastating wildfires in western Canada is now causing air pollution in areas of the northern U.S. (“Canadian Wildfires Are Raging — Three Reasons Why That’s A Problem”)

In a poll of prominent climate scientists, 88% of those who responded said they think global warming constitutes a crisis. (“Most climate scientists expect catastrophe in their lifetimes …”) Regardless of how many scientists use the term “crisis,” it is indisputable that the world's climate has reached a critical turning point. To stem the relentless increase in destructive climatic events, remedial action is needed now.

JACK DeBAUN

Dover