This is a crisis: Facing up to the age of environmental breakdown
Article
Human-induced environmental change is occurring at an unprecedented scale and pace and the window of opportunity to avoid catastrophic outcomes in societies around the world is rapidly closing. These outcomes include economic instability, large-scale involuntary migration, conflict, famine and the potential collapse of social and economic systems. The historical disregard of environmental considerations in most areas of policy has been a catastrophic mistake.
In response, this paper argues that three shifts in understanding across political and policy communities are required: of the scale and pace of environmental breakdown, the implications for societies, and the subsequent need for transformative change
*This report has been amended following its initial publication. Amendments include additional context in relation to the debate around extreme weather events and an acknowledgment of the need for caution when using the EM-DAT database as a source for trends of natural disasters. These amendments have no material impact on the conclusions made by the report.
Related items
Harry Quilter-Pinner reacts to the Budget on GB News
Interim executive director Harry Quilter-Pinner reacts to the Budget with Jacob Rees Mogg on GB NewsZoë Billingham reacts to the Budget 2024 on Sky News
Zoë Billingham reacts to the Budget 2024 on Sky News live from Grimsby.Second round effects: Why the OBR is likely underestimating the growth effects of public investment
The Office for Budgetary Responsibility has outlined a new approach to modelling the growth impacts of public investment.