PLOS Stands with #ClimateStrike
“Rapid emissions reduction is required to restore Earth’s energy balance and avoid ocean heat uptake that would practically guarantee irreversible effects. Continuation of high fossil fuel emissions, given current knowledge of the consequences, would be an act of extraordinary witting intergenerational injustice.”
This may sound like the kind of call-to-arms you could have read in an editorial just yesterday, but that quote is actually from a PLOS ONE paper published in 2013 from noted Climate Scientist James Hansen.
Six years later (just this week) the Washington Post published its analysis of multiple temperature data sets. In short, many areas worldwide have hit the 2 degrees Celsius warming mark that Dr. Hansen warned about. Many scientists say that is the tipping point if the planet is to avoid catastrophic and irreversible consequences.
The message is clear: the time to act is now.
So, what have policymakers from around the world done to forestall this growing threat to the planet that we all share? Mainly incremental steps, and in some cases, outright reversals. See here, here, here, and here.
To save our planet, we need to stand up and support one another to make our voices – and the evidence of science – heard.
PLOS stands with the young activists across the world who have taken action and organized the Global Climate Strike on September 20. Their global call to action is meant to apply pressure on policymakers and drive change as world leaders gather on September 23rd at the United Nations Climate Action Summit. Thousands of scientists worldwide have signed letters endorsing the climate strikes, and we stand with them. We are giving all PLOS staff the opportunity to take the day and march to raise their voice for change.
Multiple scientific reports have highlighted the disastrous effects of the climate crisis caused by manmade carbon emissions. The food we eat, the water we drink, the place we live are at great risk if we fail to act now. As their website says, “the world is on fire, let’s act like it.” We hope you stand with us.
I am strongly against involving a scientific journal, on an official basis, in politics. Personally, I object to the climate change/global warming hysteria. Keep science out of political activism.
Climate smart agriculture practices are key to sustainable environment in changing climates. Integrated Nutrients Management practices are important for sustainable soil management SSM Ppractices and increasing soil fertility and health and combating the negative effects of climate change. Let’s increasing soil organic carbon and reduce GHGS and adapt to climate change. Climate change is big opportunity for scientists to work for the betterment of humanity and life on earth. Dr. Amanullah 😂
Great work PLOS! We must all make the Climate and Ecological Crises or top priority.
We, the undersigned PLOS employees, endorse on own behalf the demand for climate justice and will be participating in Climate Strike activities. We also thank PLOS for endorsing this crucial action.
Arly Davies
Erik Hetzner
Eldo Varghese
The climate change and the consequent disaster are not politics! I cannot follow you. To prevent the disaster we necesary need science, too. And scientists should stand in the front line to work for that! So, I find this action of PLOS just great!