Doomed: Climate Scientist Hands Humanity a ‘Death Sentence’

A climate scientist said that two thirds of the global population are under a “death sentence” because of global warming, and based on recent weather events, she may be right.

This Expert Says That The State of the Planet Is At Risk

According to a recent article published by The Mirror, climate scientist Dr. Deborah Brosnan stated that about two thirds of the earth’s population are under a “death sentence” because of global warming and its effects. 

Protect the Planet for the People

“Climate change is happening to everyone and in every region of the world,” Brosnan said. “… it’s not about saving the planet or about science: it’s about people.”

Climate Catastrophes Keep On Coming

In this past year alone, multiple weather events that seem to be a freak of nature have only set precedent for what’s to come if global warming worsens.

Smoky Skies Across North America

Last year marked one of the worst wildfire seasons on record for Canada, which severely impacted air quality not only throughout Canada, but also in the northern parts of the United States. 

Trapped in an Orange Fog

During summer 2023, news outlets from cities like Chicago and New York City published photographs of the city “…trapped in an almost unbreathable orange haze” from the smoke of the wildfires billowing south.

Torrential Downpours Caused a Street to Collapse

This past Monday, a state of emergency was declared on the eastern part of Long Island, New York due to a storm that dumped close to 10 inches of rain overnight. A significant amount of damage was centered in the town of Stony Brook, where intense flooding from the rain caused a major road to collapse that will take years to repair.

Hurricane Season Has Deadly Consequences

While this year’s hurricane season is only halfway through, it has already proven to be catastrophic. Earlier this month, Hurricane Debby wrecked havoc across the Gulf Coast, dumping almost 30 inches of rain in some areas and killing eight people in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

Temperatures Are Rising Faster Than Ever

The NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information reported that 2023 was the hottest year on record, and this year is on track to be even hotter. 

Record Breaking Highs

Last month’s heat wave that hit the United States hit record-breaking highs, with some cities like Las Vegas, Nevada, experiencing 120 degrees heat.

Too Much to Handle

According to Dr. Brosnan, people shouldn’t be worried about the planet, as it will eventually adapt to these conditions. Rather, they should be worried how it will impact human infrastructure and resources in ways that areas around the world won’t be able to handle.

Entire Coastlines Could Be Destroyed

As global temperatures rise, so will sea levels across the world’s oceans. The NOAA predicts that sea levels will rise between 10-12 inches. This could not only cause substantial coastal flooding, but could also have a detrimental effect on human health by destroying wastewater infrastructure and potentially expose people to deadly diseases and chemicals. 

Climate Plays a Role in Everything

The crops, livestock and seafood produced for the world’s food supply are highly dependent on the climate. Even slight changes in factors like soil nutrient levels and water availability can have a huge impact on the success of growing crops and raising animals. 

Extreme Heat Could Jeopardize Agriculture and Food Supply

But according to the EPA, extremely high temperatures and droughts caused by climate change can harm crops and increase the prevalence of deadly parasites and pathogens in livestock.

A Step in the Right Direction

In recent years, the Biden administration has made legislative efforts to offset some of the damages caused by climate change. 

More Money Towards Sustainability

The most notable of them includes the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which aims to lower carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030 through investing in green energy and technology.

Legislation May Not Be Enough

Although the Inflation Reduction Act has helped to finance the fight against climate change, Dr. Brosnan stated in her article with The Mirror that there are a number of other steps that must be taken in order to see improvements.

Private Companies Need to Step Up

According to Dr. Brosnan, the private sector of the economy must make a significant effort to curb the effects of climate change, as they “…have a moral obligation and a business opportunity combined.”

What Big Businesses Have Done So Far

In recent years, many companies have pledged to reduce their carbon footprint by a certain time. Some big names include Apple, who committed to be 100 percent carbon neutral by 2030, and Amazon, who plan to power their operations with 100 percent renewable energy by 2025.

The Clock Is Ticking

A 2023 report released by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global warming is expected to surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures by the early 2030s. By that time, the climate will have irreversible damage that humans will not be able to adapt to. 

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

To keep the climate and the Earth intact for generations to come, it is up to both government leaders and private companies to work together to use the science and technology available to combat climate change and ensure a brighter, more sustainable future.

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jang’s Studio.

The images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual people or places mentioned in the article.