CLIMATE COUNTDOWN

Climate change has become the most devastating threat to our world. From wildfires scorching everything in their paths to floods washing cities away in minutes, it is clear that we are living with a climate disaster. Without immediate action our planet could become barren. Tag ‘21 looks ahead at scenarios within our lifetimes if nothing is done to prevent tipping points being passed.

2030

It’s 2030. Little to no action has been made to prevent deforestation of the Amazon rainforest – and the consequence? The landscape has depleted critically to the point where it can no longer create enough moisture to sustain a tropical climate. Because of this, the rainforest collapses and transforms into a savanna grassland. Not only will this decimate the biodiversity in the rainforest it will also have an effect on the global weather and water cycle. In addition to this, the Arctic experiences its first ice-free summer ever. Without the white ice caps, less of the sun’s energy will be reflected back into space meaning the global temperature increase drastically rises. Global warming is therefore accelerated giving us less time to fix the planet.

2040

When we arrive in 2040, the north’s permafrost soils have started defrosting, releasing the frozen carbon-based remains of plants and animals that froze before they could decompose. Now given the chance to rot, mass amounts of methane are released into the atmosphere (a greenhouse gas 28x more powerful than carbon dioxide) so we are fast approaching the point of no return. If action is not taken now, there are serious risks for the future of our planet and the human race.

2050

Halfway through this century in 2050, oceans have continued to absorb heat and have become far more acidic over the past ten years. Coral reefs have bleached and died causing a catastrophic knock-on effect on fish populations around the world, affecting millions of people across the globe. Many can no longer make a living, leading to mass starvation and economic failure.

production is in crisis, crops will not grow on overused soils and many pollinating insects have become extinct by this point. This causes the death rate by starvation to increase and governments start to collapse. The world enters a state of absolute carnage and it is now too late for change. We have exhausted the planet’s resources and no longer have a safe future.

2100

This is the final chapter, 2100. Earth is four degrees warmer than it was in 2020. Large parts of the planet are now uninhabitable leaving billions homeless. The anthropocene mass extinction is now well underway and the stability of the home and resources we used to have is gone for good. This article visualises the most pressing predicament humans has ever faced. We must take immediate action to ensure sustainability of global ecosystems. The rate at which we are tackling this issue right now simply isn’t good enough. It’s important to remember that it’s not too late yet and you can still make a difference. Recycling and taking fewer car journeys are two ways to make a difference.

"THE ARCTIC WILL EXPERIENCE ITS FIRST ICE-FREE SUMMER IN 2030"

Damien Fox

Design: Damien Fox Photography: Luke Hearne-Brown

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