Extinction: protest against rebellion: scientist says social collapse is "inevitable" | Science | New



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Extinction Rebellion has coordinated events across the UK to draw people's attention to a climate 'crisis'. Last week, protesters managed to block road and rail traffic by closing large bridges and standing over a DLR wagon. While stopping the traffic, the protesters hoped that people would think about their impact on the environment and on the planet's trajectory in the face of climate change. A renowned climate scientist claimed that the climate-induced collapse of society was "now inevitable in the short term".

Jem Bendell, professor of sustainable development at the University of Cumbria, wrote an article last year on the risks associated with climate change.

In his article, Deep Adaptation: A Map to Address Climate Tragedy, Professor Bendell analyzes climate science and draws alarming conclusions.

The professor explains how humanity is now heading towards a probable "environmental disaster" with very little hope of preventing it.

He says the next logical step for humankind is adaptation.

Professor Bendell writes: "The disruptive effects of climate change are now inevitable.

"Geoengineering is likely to be ineffective or counterproductive.

"As a result, the mainstream climate policy community is now recognizing the need for much more work on adaptation to the effects of climate change.

"It must now quickly become embedded in the broader field of people engaged in sustainable development as practitioners, researchers and educators."

"When assessing how our approaches might evolve, we need to assess what kind of adaptation is possible.

"Recent research suggests that human societies will experience disruption of their fundamental functioning in less than a decade due to climate stress.

"These disruptions include increased levels of malnutrition, famine, disease, civil conflict and war – and will not avoid wealthy nations.

"This situation makes redundant the reformist approach to sustainable development and related areas of corporate sustainability that

has underpinned the approach of many professionals. "

The alarming conclusion of Professor Bendell warns that large areas of the population are threatened by devastating shortages.

He urges future approaches to climate science focused on harm reduction.

Dr. Bendell concludes, "Instead, it is important to develop a new approach that explores how to reduce damage without making things worse.

"To support this difficult, and ultimately personal, process, understanding an in-depth adaptation program can be helpful."

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