Scientists have found that Earth's 'vital signs' have deteriorated over the past two years, despite a temporary slowdown in human activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, published in the journal BioScience, updates the 2019 climate emergency declaration now endorsed by over 14,000 scientists from 158 countries.
The study examined 31 indicators, including human population, meat production, tree cover loss, carbon dioxide emissions, and sea-level change. While air travel and energy consumption declined during the pandemic, greenhouse gas emissions have largely returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to lead author Thomas Newsome from the University of Sydney.
Forest cover loss in the Amazon reached a 12-year high in 2020, and the global population of ruminant livestock now exceeds 4 billion, contributing significantly to methane emissions and deforestation. The total mass of these animals surpasses that of all humans and wild mammals combined.
Positive signs include a shift in fossil fuel divestment, with $8.8 trillion divested between 2018 and 2020, and fossil fuel consumption subsidies falling to a record low of $245 billion in 2020. However, reports indicate subsidies still hinder emissions reductions, and Australia saw a 48% increase in such subsidies from 2015 to 2019.
The researchers call for phasing out fossil fuels, implementing an effective carbon price, and restoring natural carbon sinks to address the climate emergency.
