Almost Half of Earth's Vital Signs Are Now 'Code Red', Scientists Warn

16 out of the 35 vital signs used to track climate change are at record extremes according to a new report from a coalition of international scientists.

The report warns that the number of climate-related disasters is increasing and that related human suffering is set to keep on rising.

If we don't make quick and meaningful changes to the way we live and treat the planet, we will face the very real possibility of global societal collapse down the line.

"As we can see by the yearly surge in climate disasters, we are now in the midst of a major climate crisis, with far worse to come if we keep doing things the way we've been doing them," says Christopher Wolf.

Our fellow scientists are urged to join us in advocating for research-based approaches to climate and environmental decision making.

Increasing frequencies of extreme heat events, rising global tree cover loss, and more cases of the mosquito-borne Dengue virus are some of the issues that the team points towards.

The levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide are at their highest since records began. The year is on course to be one of the hottest on record.

Major floods in the US costing at least a billion dollars are one of the vital signs tracked by the researchers.

There have been a number of climate change-related events this year, including the worst dry spell in Europe in 500 years, record-breaking rain on the east coast of Australia, and a heat wave in India and Pakistan.

Saleemul Huq is a scientist from Independent University in Bangladesh. It is part of a larger problem of ecological overshoot where human demand is exceeding the regeneration capacity of the biosphere

We need to protect nature, eliminate most fossil fuel emissions and support socially just climate adaptation with a focus on low-income areas that are most vulnerable.

The temperature on the planet hasn't been this warm in 3 million years, and experts predict that will change by the year 2200. Many trends are not going in the right direction despite warnings.

A 35-minute documentary called The Scientist's Warning has been put together by the researchers. They are hoping that more and more scientists will speak out about the need for action.

There is a chance. The researchers note that an unprecedented number of scientists are speaking out about the climate crisis and are calling for massive-scale climate change adaptation to happen immediately for the sake of future generations.

"Look at all of the heat waves, fires, floods, and massive storms," says William. The door is ajar with the threat of climate change.

The research has appeared in a journal.