Earth's "vital signs" that point to the health of the planet are currently deteriorating at an alarming rate, a group of scientists announced on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Based on this, the researchers ascertained that severe effects of climate change would be felt soon.&nbsp;

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On Wednesday, researchers that constitute a group of over 14,000 professionals signed an international declaration calling recent events a "climate emergency" and added that governments across the globe had failed to acknowledge the crisis adequately.

The scientists also made a similar assessment in 2019, when they noted an "unprecedented surge" in climate-related disasters. An array of conditions were noted including record-breaking heatwaves, floods in South America and Southeast Asia, wildfires in Australia and the United states along with cyclones in Africa and South Asia.

The "vital signs" were measures from a key metric system which took into account greenhouse gas emissions, thickness of glaciers, sea-ice extent, and deforestation. The scientists found that 18 of these parameters hit record highs or lows.

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For instance, a dip in pollution was noted during the pandemic, with which it was also linked. But as countries resumed industrial activity, the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere and methane hit an all-time high in 2021.

In Greenland and Antarctica, all-time low levels of ice mass were noted by scientists. They also found that glaciers are currently melting 31 per cent faster than they did 15 years ago.

Ocean heat and global sea levels have set new records since 2019. In 2020, the annual loss rate of the Amazon rainforest situated in Brazil hit a 12-year high.

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The study was undertaken by the University of Exeter's Global Systems Institute. Researchers said there exists "mounting evidence" of humanity having crossed a number of climate tipping points which primarily include the melting of ice sheets in Greenland and West Antarctica.&nbsp;

Along with these events, the scientists also noted how climate change may now be irreversible on a scale of centuries, regardless of whether&nbsp;humans are able to cut down harmful emissions.

Earth's "vital signs" that point to the health of the planet are currently deteriorating at an alarming rate, a group of scientists announced on Wednesday. Based on this, the researchers ascertained that severe effects of climate change would be felt soon.

Earth's "vital signs" that point to the health of the planet are currently deteriorating at an alarming rate, a group of scientists announced on Wednesday. Based on this, the researchers ascertained that severe effects of climate change would be felt soon. On Wednesday, researchers that constitute a group of over 14,000 professionals signed an international declaration calling recent events a "climate emergency" and added that governments across the globe had failed to acknowledge the crisis adequately. The scientists also made a similar assessment in 2019, when they noted an "unprecedented surge" in climate-related disasters. An array of conditions were noted including record-breaking heatwaves, floods in South America and Southeast Asia, wildfires in Australia and the United states along with cyclones in Africa and South Asia. The "vital signs" were measures from a key metric system which took into account greenhouse gas emissions, thickness of glaciers, sea-ice extent, and deforestation. The scientists found that 18 of these parameters hit record highs or lows. Also read: Scientists to search for signs of extraterrestrial technology For instance, a dip in pollution was noted during the pandemic, with which it was also linked. But as countries resumed industrial activity, the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere and methane hit an all-time high in 2021. In Greenland and Antarctica, all-time low levels of ice mass were noted by scientists. They also found that glaciers are currently melting 31 per cent faster than they did 15 years ago. Ocean heat and global sea levels have set new records since 2019. In 2020, the annual loss rate of the Amazon rainforest situated in Brazil hit a 12-year high. Also read: What will Russia's 'Nauka' do at the International Space Station? The study was undertaken by the University of Exeter's Global Systems Institute. Researchers said there exists "mounting evidence" of humanity having crossed a number of climate tipping points which primarily include the melting of ice sheets in Greenland and West Antarctica. Along with these events, the scientists also noted how climate change may now be irreversible on a scale of centuries, regardless of whether humans are able to cut down harmful emissions.

Earth's 'vital signs' are worsening due to climate change, scientists warn

In less than 50 years, there has been an average decline of 68 per cent in the population of animals, birds and fish globally, according to a report.&nbsp;

Human activity is to be blamed for severe destruction to three-quarters of land and 40 per cent of the oceans.&nbsp;

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The Living Planet Index report for this year has also warned that an increase in deforestation and agriculture were the main factors in this significant decline observed between 1970 and 2016.&nbsp;

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The index that tracks over 4,000 species of vertebrates has also said the continual downfall in natural habitat has also aggravated the risk of future pandemics.&nbsp;

WWF International director general told news agency AFP that this decline in wildlife is "accelerating" since the 30 years they have started monitoring and it continues to go towards "the wrong direction".&nbsp;

"In 2016 we documented a 60 per cent decline, now we have a 70 per cent decline," he said. &nbsp;

"All this is in a blink of an eye compared to the millions of years that many species have been living on the planet."

The biennial report is a collaboration of WWF International and the Zoological Society of London and is the 13th edition since the initiative to track wildlife population started.&nbsp;

In less than 50 years, there has been an average decline of 68 per cent in the population of animals, birds and fish globally, according to a report. Human activity is to be blamed for severe destruction to three-quarters of land and 40 per cent of the oceans.

In less than 50 years, there has been an average decline of 68 per cent in the population of animals, birds and fish globally, according to a report. Human activity is to be blamed for severe destruction to three-quarters of land and 40 per cent of the oceans. Also read | Climate change contributes to spread of diseases through mosquitoes, says study The Living Planet Index report for this year has also warned that an increase in deforestation and agriculture were the main factors in this significant decline observed between 1970 and 2016. Also read | Bill Gates warns climate change crisis could be worse than COVID-19 pandemic The index that tracks over 4,000 species of vertebrates has also said the continual downfall in natural habitat has also aggravated the risk of future pandemics. WWF International director general told news agency AFP that this decline in wildlife is "accelerating" since the 30 years they have started monitoring and it continues to go towards "the wrong direction". "In 2016 we documented a 60 per cent decline, now we have a 70 per cent decline," he said. "All this is in a blink of an eye compared to the millions of years that many species have been living on the planet." The biennial report is a collaboration of WWF International and the Zoological Society of London and is the 13th edition since the initiative to track wildlife population started.

68 per cent decline in wildlife population in less than 50 years: Report

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Earth's 'vital signs' are worsening due to climate change, scientists warn

68 per cent decline in wildlife population in less than 50 years: Report