Navigation through uncertainties: Part A: Regional action on climate change

Abstract

Our epoch of unprecedented human planetary impact demands an urgent collective response. Since the Anthropocene's inception in 2000, assessments confrm extensive disruption of climate, ecology and environment, quantifed by concepts like post-WWII Great Acceleration. Crossing of planetary boundaries nears catastrophe, defying one-size-ftsall solutions. At peak population, Wilson predicted ecosystems surviving an ecological bottleneck will be irrevocably altered. Despite freshwater security linking diverse regions, integrated action lags. Recent African and G20 declarations signal commitment to climate-smart agriculture, nature conservation, and biodiversity protection. However, averting biodiversity annihilation requires international campaigns leveraging gene banks and international and national organizations, along with suffcient funding to introduce new genetic resources for dynamic adaptation of agriculture. With crises converging, time is not on our side. Avoiding climate injustice demands equitable resilient responses. While daunting, humanity retains the urgency to act decisively, steering away from collapse towards sustainability. This pathway exists but it is narrowing. The stakes could not be higher.