Climate change

Decisive action needed

To prevent the climate catastrophe, the Paris Climate Agreement seeks to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent from 2010 levels by 2030, and then halved each decade to 2050 to reach net zero.

If this does not happen, we are looking at global average temperature increases that may result in unprecedented climate patterns, huge loss of landmass, significant risks to global and regional food security, and a combination of high temperatures and humidity that could jeopardise human activity as we know it. Furthermore, mass species extinction may occur, which would have a devastating impact on the critical ecosystem services needed to sustain humanity.

To prevent this catastrophic scenario, it is necessary to avoid crossing the tipping points of Earth’s climate system. Decisive action must be taken now to avert this crisis and ensure a liveable planet for future generations.

A fair planetary stewardship

Earth system justice, as defined by the Earth Commission, is a framework that seeks to ensure the equitable distribution of the benefits and risks of planetary stewardship. It acknowledges that the Earth is a complex system with interconnected natural, social, and economic processes, and that addressing the immense challenges facing the planet requires a just transition to a sustainable and resilient future. 

Earth system justice requires us to consider the impacts of our actions on the planet and its diverse communities, and to prioritise the needs of those who are most vulnerable and marginalised. It also calls for accountability and responsibility from those who have the most power and influence over the global systems that shape our world. Moreover, it recognizes the importance of local and indigenous knowledge in shaping solutions that are appropriate and effective for different contexts and communities.

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