‘CODE RED FOR HUMANITY’: A RUDE WAKE UP CALL: We have seen it during the past few months. The deadly wildfires and floods across continents. Even Siberia has been hit by unprecedented forest fires. And the United Nations yesterday sounded a ‘code red for humanity.’ No area is safe. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, the 3,000-plus-page report from 234 scientists, said. The reason is us: Humans have pushed the climate into ‘unprecedented’ territory. From warming oceans to more extreme weather, scientists detailed a world rapidly altered, with worse impacts likely to come unless green-house gas pollution falls dramatically. “It’s just guaranteed that it’s going to get worse,’’ the report said. But the good news is it is still possible for us to forestall the most dire impacts. Over 100 countries have made informal pledges to achieve “net zero’’ human-caused carbon dioxide emissions around mid-century. The report said those commitments are essential. The message is loud and clear and the ball now is in our court. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N R, Senior Associate Editor]
AFP