14.10.2022
Expert: “Climate change is killing people on a large scale”
Photo by: hadynyah / iStock
“We are killing people en masse because of air pollution. We are talking about the potential deaths of hundreds of millions or billions,” said Stern.
There is still a possibility of a global temperature spike of 3–4 °C, he said. Warming is expected to be devastating, causing extremely high temperatures in densely populated countries such as China and India, and consequently increasing mortality from heat waves and natural anomalies.
Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, most of the world’s countries have pledged to achieve zero carbon emissions by mid-century, with the aim of limiting global temperature rise to 2 °C or even 1.5 °C. Experts believe that the chances of achieving these goals may be minimal if no serious action is taken now, and the consequences will be severe. Warming of this magnitude could lead to the eventual melting of glaciers and a rise in sea level of 10–20 metres and thus inundate certain areas, islands and cities, destroying many peoples’ habitual lives. Stern noted that the planet has not experienced a global temperature rise of 3 °C for 3 million years, meaning that the last warming occurred long before the emergence of man.
The causes of global warming are, of course, man-made greenhouse gases. Although humanity is not yet living in a planet-wide catastrophe, the likelihood of such a catastrophe in the future remains. Stern noted that people may not know exactly how close the collapse of the Amazon system or the melting of permafrost will bring about the release of massive amounts of greenhouse gases, yet people know enough to recognise these risks and somehow influence the future of the planet.
In 2006, Stern’s report was dismissed by some as alarmist, but it has made a proper impression in the scientific community. The study has also been used to chart the first steps towards phasing out fossil fuels in the energy sector.
The transition to alternative energy sources requires significant investments in new infrastructure and equipment. According to Stern, people all over the world need to start investing in their own homes, such as insulation or a more efficient heating system. Such options include, for instance, stone wool insulation, with which you can create a comfortable microclimate in your homes. Stone wool ceilings reflect light, making rooms comfortable and bright, thus reducing energy costs for lighting. In addition, stone wool is a non-combustible material and offers a fire safety guarantee. “This transition, which we are all embarking on, is a 21st century development story,” said Stern.
Cover photo: Suprabhat Dutta / iStock
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