Scientists fear that the earth is "sick"
AP news agency on June 1 cited a newly published study showing that the earth has exceeded 7 out of 8 safety limits set by scientists and fallen into a "danger zone", not only because rising temperatures cause the loss of many natural areas but also affect the health of residents.
The study, published in the journal Nature on May 31 by the global network of scientists Earth Commission, looked at climate factors, air pollution, phosphorus and nitrogen pollution in water from overuse of fertilizers, groundwater, surface water, natural environments and human-made environments.
Only air pollution is not yet at a critical point globally, although it remains dangerous at local and regional levels.
The study found “hotspots” of problems across Eastern Europe, South Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, and large parts of Brazil, Mexico, China, and the western United States. About two-thirds of the planet does not meet the criteria for safe freshwater, the scientists said.
According to expert Kristie Ebi, professor of climate and public health at the University of Washington (USA) and co-author of the study, humans are in the danger zone for most of the earth's limits.
Professor Joyeeta Gupta at the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands) and co-chair of the Earth Commission said that if the Earth had annual health check-ups like humans, "doctors would say that the Earth is really sick in many organs and this disease also affects people living on the planet."
Scientists say the planet can recover if there are changes in the use of coal, oil and natural gas, as well as the way we treat land and water. But humans are going about most of these things the wrong way, said Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, which led the study.
Professor Lynn Goldman at George Washington University (USA), who was not involved in the research, commented that the above research is "somewhat bold", but she is not optimistic that the research will lead to many actions to "heal" the earth.
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