SUMMARY of the Article “Mass extinction” by Aisha Khan, Dawn [Published on January 2nd, 2024]
The conclusion of the 28th Conference of Parties (COP) session in December 2023 marked progress in climate action but fell short of the urgency required to prevent the anticipated sixth mass extinction. Amidst growing eco-anxiety and challenges in multilateral processes, the article highlights the need for a more individualistic approach to address the threat to life systems. The author contextualizes the brief timeline of human civilization, spanning 200,000 years anatomically, 6,000 years for modern civilization, and the industrial age’s commencement in 1850. Despite scientific and technological advancements, the acceleration of climate change is primarily attributed to greenhouse gas emissions. The narrative shifts towards individual responsibility and suggests a change in perspective to expedite solutions. The key dilemma involves balancing existing lifestyles without compromising quality or altering consumption patterns. COP28’s discussions, particularly Sultan al-Jaber’s controversial statement on fossil fuels, underscore the reluctance to abandon fossil fuel-supported lifestyles. The article emphasizes the need for societies to reconsider current consumption patterns to adopt a low-carbon-footprint lifestyle. Highlighting the significant environmental impact of modern food systems, the author notes that going vegan could » Read More…