Climate change is Third World War, and we’re losing: environmentalist

The Third World War is upon us, a prominent environmentalist says, and we’re losing the battle against the ever-advancing effects of climate change.

Our planet’s only hope, says Bill McKibben, is to mobilize as we did for the Second World War.

READ MORE: How climate change will affect Canadians

A devastating offensive is underway, McKibben says in an article published in New Republic, as he goes on to describe the “war zones” being created by climate change.

In the North, thousands of square kilometres of Arctic ice is disappearing every week. And in the south, take in the breathtaking coral of the Great Barrier Reef while you can, because bleaching is turning the colourful marine invertebrates into “white boneyards.”

WATCH: Time lapse video captures coral bleaching due to rising sea temperatures 

1:54 Time lapse video captures coral bleaching due to rising sea temperatures: researchers

In June, priceless works of art were forced to be moved in The Louvre in Paris as the The Sienne swelled to levels not seen in 35 years.

A month before, a wildfire forced 90,000 people from their homes in Fort McMurray, Alta.

WATCH: Global News’ ongoing coverage of the Fort McMurray wildfire 

2:06 Mounties ask public for help in Fort McMurray wildfire investigation

• Mounties ask public for help in Fort McMurray wildfire investigation
• Alberta government centralizing Fort McMurray donations
• Mounties investigate whether Fort McMurray wildfire was sparked by a criminal offence
• Fort McMurray airport reopens after wildfire
• Metis elder talks about losing historic home in Fort McMurray

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“This is no metaphor. By most of the ways we measure wars, climate change is the real deal: Carbon and methane are seizing physical territory, sowing havoc and panic, racking up casualties, and even destabilizing governments.”

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The Paris agreement on climate change, adopted this spring by nearly 200 nations, is not enough, McKibben writes.

Even if every nation complies, McKibben says the earth will still warm as much as 3.5 C by 2100; the pact promises it will be between 1.5 – 2C.

READ MORE: ‘Earth Overshoot Day’: Aug. 8 marked the day we used up all the Earth’s resources for 2016

Recent records indicate the earth is on an unstoppable warming trend: July was the hottest month ever recorded; 2015 shattered records as the warmest year ever.

McKibben suggestions for reining in climate change aren’t exactly groundbreaking, in fact we’ve heard them all before: Ban fracking, mining, drilling, and impose a carbon tax.

At the same time, boost public transit, build billions of solar panels and fill fields with wind farms.

“Without immediate executive action—we will lose this war.”

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