Within my own lifetime, the last 50 years, nearly 80% of the CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels, and close to 60 percent of all GHG emissions have been released.

There's been a near 70% decline in populations of existing wildlife species; and across the 8 million animal and plant species on earth, the human-induced extinction rate is now estimated at tens to hundreds of times greater than natural rates.

#BiodiversityDay reminds us that the profound crises we confront are just different sides of the same coin, and that our future is truly in our hands. The planet doesn't need us: we are the ones who rely on it for all the air we breathe, the water we drink, the resources we need. That's why our choices matter more today than ever: the path to a better future lies through these crises.

Read my essay here: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/one-planet-two-crises-tackling-climate-change-and-biodiversity-in-the-fight-for-our-future/

One Planet, Two Crises: Tackling Climate Change and Biodiversity in the Fight for Our Future

World Biodiversity Day reminds us that the profound crises we confront are just different sides of the same coin

Scientific American

@kathhayhoe

The real crisis is the vast numbers of people who are in absolute denial about all of this, turning instead to religion, or just refusing to acknowledge reason or any basis of fact at all ever.

There is among us (and it is a very large number of us, approaching half), a cult of stupidity. Not ignorance, ignorance can be addressed.

But rather a determined and sustained effort to avoid anything that resembles a recognition of fact or the usefulness of reason, as such.

@kathhayhoe

THAT is your crisis. To pretend that everyone 'gets it' and we have a very narrow chance of making a difference because the problem is so hard, is a bad call and contributes to the problem. The climate problem isn't hard at all. If we actually all did 'get it', with respect to the climate, we could address this problem in a near miraculous fashion and make an incredible difference practically overnight.

@kathhayhoe

I apologize if I seem to be accusatory, I assure you that my replies should be viewed as a full-throated endorsement of your concerns.