Call for Action: Scientists warn against environmental degradation and its consequences

ZIN-spokeswoman Prof’in Doris Fuchs counts among 15.000 endorsers from 184 countries

© Stephan Röhl (Creative Commons Licence)

The article “World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity: a second notice”, published in the scientific journal “Bioscience” has gathered support from more than 15.000 scientists from 184 countries. The warning calls on humankind to rethink and act in order to prevent the catastrophic damages of current environmental degradation. ZIN-Spokeswoman Prof’in Doris Fuchs counts among the endorsers of this declaration. The article was initialized by the Alliance of World Scientists, an independent and interdisciplinary organization of scientists worldwide.

The article follows the declaration “Warning to Humanity” published in 1992 by international scientists, including many Nobel laureates, in which the authors expressed their concerns about the ongoing destruction of the biosphere and called for countermeasures. On the occasion of the declaration’s 25th anniversary, the current notice reflects on the developments since 1992 and draws an alarming conclusion: humanity failed to make sufficient progress, some developments got even worse.

Therefore, the authors William J. Ripple, Christopher Wolf and Thomas M. Newsome of Oregon State University and endorsing scientists call for action once more in order to avert this devastating development. Population growth should be adequately limited, economic growth should be reassessed, greenhouse gases should be reduced, renewable energy should be incentivized, habitat and ecosystems should be restored and protected, according to the authors.

The scientists, together with citizens and media influencers, intend to put pressure on governments and political leaders in order for them to take the necessary steps to stop the current developments. Equally, individual behavior must be re-examined and changed, including consumption of fossil fuels, meat and other resources. The success in reducing ozone-depleting substances since 1992 shows that positive change is achievable.  The authors of the second notice to humanity propose concrete measures that could help the transition towards sustainability.

Scientists, willing to endorse the declaration, can register online on the website of the Alliance of World Scientists and thereby increase attention for the environmental problems and their vital solution worldwide. Attention for the article can be increased as well by using the hashtag #ScientistsWarningtoHumanity on social networks.

[The article „World Scientists‘ Warning to Humanity: a second notice“ in 15 languages, a list of endorsers and more information on the website of the Alliance of World Scientists]

[Picture: Stephan Röhl / Pixabay(Creative Commons Licence)]