Earth Has Reached Ecological, 'Danger Zone,' Study Warns.
A new study warns that Earth has entered into "the danger zone" after hitting seven out of eight scientifically established limits.
ABC reports that the research takes into account not only an overheating planet rapidly losing natural areas, but also the well-being of the people populating it.
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ABC reports that the research takes into account not only an overheating planet rapidly losing natural areas, but also the well-being of the people populating it.
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The study by the international scientist group, Earth Commission, investigated a wide range of issues, including the changing climate and continuing air pollution.
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The study by the international scientist group, Earth Commission, investigated a wide range of issues, including the changing climate and continuing air pollution.
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The work also covers phosphorus and nitrogen contamination from fertilizer overuse, as well as current levels of groundwater supplies and fresh surface water.
The work also covers phosphorus and nitrogen contamination from fertilizer overuse, as well as current levels of groundwater supplies and fresh surface water.
Finally, the study looked at the overall natural and human-built environment, finding that only air pollution had yet to reach a global danger point.
NBC reports that the team found "hotspots" across the globe, with approximately two-thirds of the planet failing to meet the threshold for freshwater safety.
We are in a danger zone for most of the Earth system boundaries, Kristie Ebi, study co-author and professor of climate and public health at the University of Washington, via ABC.
The Earth is really quite sick right now and it is sick in terms of many different areas or systems and this sickness is also affecting the people living on Earth, Joyeeta Gupta, Earth Commission co-chair and professor of environment at the University of Amsterdam, via ABC.
ABC reports that the team says that the Earth could still recover if a number of changes are made, which include reliance on coal, oil and natural gas.
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ABC reports that the team says that the Earth could still recover if a number of changes are made, which include reliance on coal, oil and natural gas.
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The study's lead author, Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, warns that , “we are moving in the wrong direction on basically all of these.”
