The 2020 report of The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: responding to converging crises

The Lancet, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 397(10269), P. 129 - 170

Published: Dec. 2, 2020

Language: Английский

---

A Global Assessment: Can Renewable Energy Replace Fossil Fuels by 2050?

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(8), P. 4792 - 4792

Published: April 16, 2022

Our study evaluated the effectiveness of using eight pathways in combination for a complete to transition from fossil fuels renewable energy by 2050. These included development; improving efficiency; increasing conservation; carbon taxes; more equitable balancing human wellbeing and per capita use; cap trade systems; capture, utilization, storage; nuclear power development. We used annual ‘British Petroleum statistical review world 2021’ report as our primary database. Globally, fuels, (primarily hydro, wind solar), accounted 83%, 12.6%, 6.3% total consumption 2020. To achieve zero fuel use 2050, we found that production will need be increased up 6-fold or 8-fold if demand is held constant at, 50% from, 2020 level. Constraining 2050 25% increase over level, improves probability achieving independence fuels. Improvements efficiency accelerate beyond current rate ~1.5% year. Aggressive application conservation policies involving land taxation could potentially reduce 10% meta-analysis shows minimum level would allow 8 billion people have ‘Decent Living Standard’ on average ~70 GJ year, which 93% global average. Developed countries temperate climates with high vehicle-dependency needed ~120 year−1, whereas equatorial low 30 year−1. meta-analyses indicated replacement may possible but require aggressive all pathways, major lifestyle changes developed countries, close cooperation among countries.

Language: Английский

---

Scientists' warning to humanity on insect extinctions

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 242, P. 108426 - 108426

Published: Feb. 1, 2020

Here we build on the manifesto 'World Scientists' Warning to Humanity, issued by Alliance of World Scientists. As a group conservation biologists deeply concerned about decline insect populations, here review what know drivers extinctions, their consequences, and how extinctions can negatively impact humanity. We are causing driving habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation, use polluting harmful substances, spread invasive species, global climate change, direct overexploitation, co-extinction species dependent other species. With lose much more than abundance biomass insects, diversity across space time with consequent homogenization, large parts tree life, unique ecological functions traits, fundamental extensive networks biotic interactions. Such losses lead key ecosystem services which humanity depends. From pollination decomposition, being resources for new medicines, quality indication many others, insects provide essential irreplaceable services. appeal urgent action close knowledge gaps curb extinctions. An investment in research programs that generate local, regional strategies counter this trend is essential. Solutions available implementable, but needed now match our intentions.

Language: Английский

---

Scientists’ warning to humanity on the freshwater biodiversity crisis

AMBIO, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 50(1), P. 85 - 94

Published: Feb. 10, 2020

Language: Английский

---

Challenges in the decarbonization of the energy sector

Energy, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 205, P. 118025 - 118025

Published: June 6, 2020

In order to limit the effects of climate change, carbon dioxide emissions associated with energy sector need be reduced. Significant reductions can achieved by using appropriate technologies and policies. context recent discussions about change transition, this article critically reviews some technologies, policies frequently discussed solutions. The options for emission are grouped into (1) generation secondary carriers, (2) end-use sectors (3) interdependencies. challenges on way a decarbonized identified respect environmental sustainability, security supply, economic stability social aspects. A global tax is most promising instrument accelerate process decarbonization. Nevertheless, will very challenging humanity due high capital requirements, competition among decarbonization options, inconsistent public acceptance changes in use.

Language: Английский

---

Underestimating the Challenges of Avoiding a Ghastly Future

Frontiers in Conservation Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 1

Published: Jan. 13, 2021

We report three major and confronting environmental issues that have received little attention require urgent action. First, we review the evidence future conditions will be far more dangerous than currently believed. The scale of threats to biosphere all its lifeforms — including humanity is in fact so great it difficult grasp for even well-informed experts. Second, ask what political or economic system, leadership, prepared handle predicted disasters, capable such Third, this dire situation places an extraordinary responsibility on scientists speak out candidly accurately when engaging with government, business, public. especially draw lack appreciation enormous challenges creating a sustainable future. added stresses human health, wealth, well-being perversely diminish our capacity mitigate erosion ecosystem services which society depends. science underlying these strong, but awareness weak. Without fully appreciating broadcasting problems enormity solutions required, fail achieve modest sustainability goals.

Language: Английский

---

A pluralistic and integrated approach to action-oriented knowledge for sustainability

Nature Sustainability, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 4(2), P. 93 - 100

Published: Oct. 5, 2020

Language: Английский

---

Scientists' warning on climate change and insects

Ecological Monographs, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 93(1)

Published: Nov. 7, 2022

Abstract Climate warming is considered to be among the most serious of anthropogenic stresses environment, because it not only has direct effects on biodiversity, but also exacerbates harmful other human‐mediated threats. The associated consequences are potentially severe, particularly in terms threats species preservation, as well preservation an array ecosystem services provided by biodiversity. Among affected groups animals insects—central components many ecosystems—for which climate change pervasive from individuals communities. In this contribution scientists' warning series, we summarize effect gradual global surface temperature increase insects, physiology, behavior, phenology, distribution, and interactions, increased frequency duration extreme events such hot cold spells, fires, droughts, floods these parameters. We warn that, if no action taken better understand reduce will drastically our ability build a sustainable future based healthy, functional ecosystems. discuss perspectives relevant ways conserve insects face change, offer several key recommendations management approaches that can adopted, policies should pursued, involvement general public protection effort.

Language: Английский

---

Solutions for humanity on how to conserve insects

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 242, P. 108427 - 108427

Published: Feb. 1, 2020

The fate of humans and insects intertwine, especially through the medium plants. Global environmental change, including land transformation contamination, is causing concerning insect diversity loss, articulated in companion review Scientists' warning to humanity on extinctions. Yet, despite a sound philosophical foundation, recognized ethical values, scientific evidence, globally we are performing poorly at instigating effective conservation. As major component tapestry life, conservation would do well integrate better with overall biodiversity climate change mitigation. This also involves popularizing insects, use iconic species, more media coverage, inclusive education. Insect conservationists need liaise decision makers, stakeholders, managers, conceptually familiar scale landscape. Enough evidence now available, synthesized here, which illustrates that multiple strategies work local levels towards saving insects. We expand these locally-crafted globally. Tangible actions include ensuring maintenance biotic complexity, improving temporal spatial heterogeneity, functional connectivity, metapopulation dynamics, while maintaining unique habitats, across landscape mosaics, as communication. Key have expansive sustainable agriculture forestry, improved regulation prevention risks, greater recognition protected areas alongside agro-ecology novel landscapes. Future-proofing critical, benefits far reaching, continued provision valuable ecosystem services rich impressive Earth's biodiversity.

Language: Английский

---

COVID-19: Lessons for the climate change emergency

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 742, P. 140563 - 140563

Published: June 27, 2020

Language: Английский

---