Climate Several signs of life on Earth are at negative record levels
If the Earth were a patient, it would probably be in intensive care by now: according to a recent study, around two thirds (22 out of 34) of the planet's vital signs have reached a record level - and in most cases this is not positive.
29.10.2025, 15:00
SDA
"Without effective strategies, we will quickly face escalating risks that threaten to overwhelm peace, governance systems, public health and ecosystem stability," says study author William Ripple from Oregon State University, who reports on the Earth's vital signs with an international team in the journal BioScience.
The vital signs examined include aspects such as CO2 emissions, consumption of coal, oil and gas, forest loss due to fires, sea temperatures and many more - these are among the 22 that have reached new record levels.
The international team, which also includes the Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Johan Rockström, sees its inventory as evidence that our planet is approaching "climate chaos". Several signs of life are developing rapidly in the wrong direction.
"Climate chaos" is gathering pace
2024 has already been the hottest year since records began - and the current year looks no better: "So far, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached a record high in 2025, likely exacerbated by a sudden decline in carbon uptake by land, partly due to El Niño and intense forest fires," the authors explain. A dangerous development due to accelerated warming, feedback effects and possible tipping points may have become more likely.
One example: the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen faster than fossil fuel emissions would suggest - according to the authors, the enormous forest fires in many regions of the world have played their part.
"We can still limit global warming"
The team calls for a change of course. "Strategies to mitigate climate change are available, cost-effective and urgently needed. From forest protection and renewable energy to a predominantly plant-based diet - we can still limit global warming if we act decisively and quickly."
In addition to the measures mentioned, the team is paying particular attention to food waste, which accounts for eight to ten percent of global emissions - so reducing this has enormous potential.
"The cost of mitigating climate change is likely to be far less than the global economic damage that climate-related impacts could cause," the researchers emphasize.
