Climate conditions become "very distressing and potentially unmanageable for large regions of the world", new report says

A group of international scientists warn that the effects of global warming are “progressively more severe, and possibilities such as a worldwide societal breakdown are feasible and dangerously underexplored.”

By the end of the 21st century, 3 to 6 billion individuals -a third to half of the global population- might find themselves confined beyond the earth’s livable region, encountering severe heat, limited food availability, and elevated mortality rates because of the effects of climate change.

“We warn of potential collapse of natural and socioeconomic systems in such a world where we will face unbearable heat, frequent extreme weather events, food and fresh water shortages, rising seas, more emerging diseases, and increased social unrest and geopolitical conflict,” they say.

To counter future breakdowns, the scientists emphasize climate justice and fair distribution of the costs and benefits of climate action, particularly for vulnerable communities, and a transformation of the global economy to prioritize human well-being and to provide for a more equitable distribution of resources.

“We also call to stabilize and gradually decrease the human population with gender justice through voluntary family planning and by supporting women’s and girls’ education and rights, which reduces fertility rates and raises the standard of living,” their report says.