Time Is Running Out: 15,000 Scientists Pen 2nd Warning on Human Annihilation of the Earth

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25 years ago, hundreds of scientists were warning humanity that its unparalleled, quick consumption of resources, unhindered population growth, and perpetual decimation of the natural environment would lead to wide-scale plight unless the planet can rein in its excesses and disparities.

We did not listen.

The careless plunder of biodiverse environments with no regard to conservation or sustainability actually accelerated, leading 15,364 scientists from 184 different countries to sign an appended version of the original 'Judgement Day' letter — now, exhorting humanity to pay attention, immediately — because there's not much time remaining.

“Soon it will be too late to shift course away from our failing trajectory, and time is running out,” William J. Ripple, professor of ecology at Oregon State University, wrote for the researchers’ second warning to humanity.

Of particular concern for that sizable group is the exhaustive strain exponential population growth has placed on the Earth’s limited resources. Notably, the number of people in the world swelled by 35%, or an additional two billion people, in the coming years since the original cautionary plea that took place in 1992.

Deforestation, vanishing potable water supplies, inadmissible emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, ocean ‘dead zones,’ and mass agriculture gravely concern the signatories of the warning.

“Moreover,” the letter continues, “we have unleashed a mass extinction event, the sixth in roughly 540 million years, wherein many current life forms could be annihilated or at least committed to extinction by the end of the century.”

In July, another group of researchers published a study noting decades of “biological annihilation” of wildlife as the most severe indicator of a forthcoming mass extinction event.

Scientists in both cases dispense with euphemisms and gentle warnings to action, imploring humanity to put an end to its slow suicide. The second warning to humanity criticizes the lack of steps taken to rectify consumption-based models into sustainable projects with conservation at the forefront.

It may still be possible to slow the pillaging of forests and land, polluting of waterways, reliance on outdated fuels and chemicals, and several other self-destructive habits. However, time is a luxury we failed to afford long ago.

“To prevent widespread misery and catastrophic biodiversity loss,” the thousands of concerned scientists implore with finality, “humanity must practice a more environmentally sustainable alternative to business as usual. This prescription was well articulated by the world’s leading scientists 25 years ago, but in most respects, we have not heeded their warning. Soon it will be too late to shift course away from our failing trajectory, and time is running out. We must recognize, in our day-to-day lives and in our governing institutions, that Earth with all its life is our only home.”

Are we listening, now?

Reference: The Mind Unleashed