A recent report warns that ‘humanity will face untold suffering’ if we don’t address climate change.

Scientists from more than 150 countries around the world have warned that the world’s people will face ‘untold suffering due to the climate crisis’, unless there are major transformations to global society, according to a stark warning.

‘We declare clearly and unequivocally that planet Earth is facing a climate emergency,’ it states. ‘To secure a sustainable future, we must change how we live and work. This entails major transformations in the ways our global society functions and interacts with natural ecosystems.’

There is no time to lose, the scientists say: ‘The climate crisis has arrived and is accelerating faster than most scientists expected. It is more severe than anticipated, threatening natural ecosystems and the fate of humanity.’

The statement is published in the journal; BioScience on the 40th anniversary of the first world climate conference, which was held in Geneva in 1979. The statement has been endorsed by further 11,000 scientists from 153 nations.

The scientists say the urgent changes needed include ending population growth, leaving fossil fuels in the ground, halting forest destruction and slashing meat eating.

For the full story, facts & figures please visit The Guardian.

Dr Thomas Newsome, from the University of Sydney’s School of Life and Environmental Sciences.