🌱 The climactic endgame
In a study published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (document in English), scientists warn that the risk of global societal collapse or human extinction has been “dangerously underexplored”.
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According to the analysis, there are ample reasons to suspect that global warming could lead to a catastrophe, which they call “climate endgame” (climate endgame).
The team of scientists argues that the world needs to start preparing for the possibility of a climate endgame, and that analyzing the mechanisms for extreme consequences can help address future emergencies.
To support their arguments, the scientists asked the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to produce a special report on the subject. O IPCC document analyzes the impacts generated by 1,5º of global warming and the results already cause great concern. (IPCC*) 🇬🇧
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The researchers also warn that climate collapse could worsen or trigger other catastrophic risks, such as international wars or infectious disease pandemics, and worsen existing vulnerabilities such as poverty, crop failures and water shortagessystem. (The Guardian*)🇬🇧
🍃 Threat of extinction
Hippos can be added to the list of the most endangered animals in the world.
The species, found in lakes and rivers throughout sub-Saharan Africa, is at risk of extinction due to several factors, including the climate crisis, poaching and the ivory trade (removal of the animal's teeth).
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Ten West African countries proposed that hippos receive the highest protection – that of Appendix I – of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites)system. (The Guardian*) 🇬🇧
Currently, the animals are listed as an Appendix II species, meaning they are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but could become so if trade is not regulated.
The topic should be addressed at the next Cites Conference (Cites Cop), which is scheduled for November this year, in Panamasystem. (CITES*)🇬🇧
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🌳 Artificial intelligence highlights a priority area for combating deforestation in the Amazon
Brazilian researchers developed a method, supported by satellite images and artificial intelligence, which shows that the priority area for actions to combat deforestation in the Amazon could be 27,8% smaller than the equivalent of the 11 municipalities currently monitored by the federal government's Amazon Plan 2021/2022system. (Folha de S. Paul)🚥
A research, published last month by the magazine Conservation Letters (document in English), shows that the regions with the highest rates of deforestation in the forest – classified as “high priority” – comprise, this year, the equivalent of 414.603 km².
The total area included in the Amazon Plan 2021/2022, in turn, is 574.724 km². In other words, the area to be monitored would be 160 thousand km² smaller.
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In the study, scientists from the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe) and northern universities conclude that the proposed method, in addition to helping inspection bodies, displays new areas of deforestation, which are currently outside the monitoring plan as they extrapolate the limits imposed by the Amazon Plan.
Curto Verde is a daily summary of what you need to know about the environment, sustainability and other topics linked to our survival and that of the planet.
(Photo at Top: Reproduction/Flickr)
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