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1/ Bc its Earth Day, I'm sharing a thread of reports from scientists at MIT, Columbia and others describing the number of people who will be exposed to **deadly** heat waves by 2080 if current GHG emission trends continue (sources at end).
# of people killed = 500-600 million
# of people killed = 500-600 million
2/ An additional billion or more people will be exposed to "extreme danger" heat levels, which most humans can't survive.
One fifth or more of the global population will be affected by extreme heat. Areas near the Equator (Central America, India, North China etc) most affected.
One fifth or more of the global population will be affected by extreme heat. Areas near the Equator (Central America, India, North China etc) most affected.
3/ This is pretty devastating and scary. I believe all of us have a basic moral imperative to help prevent the suffering. This means radically reducing GHG emissions and building communities that enable low per capita climate impacts.
But, morals aside, this will affect EVERYONE:
But, morals aside, this will affect EVERYONE:
4/ Think about how much social/political instability was created in Europe by right-wingers taking advantage of 3.5 million Syrian refugees. Same in the US, with the caravan (a few thousand) last year.
Imagine by 2070-2080, climate migrant waves of tens of millions of people.
Imagine by 2070-2080, climate migrant waves of tens of millions of people.
5/ 10s of millions of climate migrants will move north to countries like the US, which will also be experiencing heat waves+water shortages.
I believe in human goodness, so I believe Americans have a responsibility to ease as much of this human suffering as possible starting now.
I believe in human goodness, so I believe Americans have a responsibility to ease as much of this human suffering as possible starting now.
6/ "Preventing as much suffering as possible" means transitioning to a net-zero emission economy and building communities with sustainable housing and resource distribution networks that can accommodate swelling populations.
Ignoring either of these will will hurt all Americans.
Ignoring either of these will will hurt all Americans.
7/ Main point: societal instability unlike anything in human history IS THE SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS about climate change effects.
If you claim that societal adaptation to climate change "can wait", you KNOW what you're saying is dangerous to all people.
OK, sources below :)
If you claim that societal adaptation to climate change "can wait", you KNOW what you're saying is dangerous to all people.
OK, sources below :)
