The Future of Earth in 2100: The Impact of Global Warming and Human Cognitive Decline

The world as we know it may undergo significant changes by the year 2100, especially in the face of ongoing and accelerating global warming. This phenomenon is predicted to reach a temperature increase of 2.5-3°C above the 1850-1900 mean, based on current policy estimates as reported by organizations such as Climate Action Tracker. This projected temperature rise will bring about increasingly extreme and intense weather events, greatly affecting ecosystem, infrastructure, and human societies.

Extreme Weather Events and Their Consequences

Let's consider what such a scenario might entail by examining current examples. The European heatwaves and Pakistani floods of 2022 demonstrate how climate change exacerbates extreme weather events, making them more frequent and severe. These events are already being categorized and analyzed to show that they are at least partially attributable to today's climate change, with global temperatures 1°C above the 1850-1900 mean. In a future scenario beyond 2°C, these events could become commonplace and even yearly occurrences.

The consequences of such frequency and intensity can be profound. Crop failures and infrastructure damage are expected, leading not only to increased risk to human life but also to significant economic repercussions. The annual risks and losses associated with such events would weigh heavily on global and national economies, further destabilizing societies that are already under strain from current challenges.

The Importance of Reducing Carbon Emissions

However, if we act now and reduce carbon emissions, the outlook improves. Staying within a 2°C limit for global temperature rise would reduce the severity and frequency of these extreme weather events. Lives might be saved, and economic losses would be minimized. Therefore, cutting back on carbon emissions is crucial. Each tenth of a degree we manage to avoid translates into fewer negative consequences, protecting human life and livelihoods.

The Atmospheric CO2 Trend and Human Cognitive Decline

Considering the atmospheric CO2 concentration since the 1950s, projections show that by the year 2100, CO2 concentrations will be around 900 ppm, a critical level that could affect human cognition. Research conducted by Stanford, Harvard, and SUNY Syracuse indicates that human cognitive function begins to decline at CO2 levels of about 600 ppm, which is projected to occur on a global scale around 2075 if no action is taken. Elevated CO2 concentration displaces oxygen, essential for cognitive function, hence the cognitive decline.

By 2100, it is expected that human cognition would decline by about 20-22 percentage points, significantly impacting society. This cognitive decline does not stem from genetics but from the prolonged environmental exposure to these elevated CO2 levels. Thus, the apocalypse depicted in the movie Idiocracy will not be due to bad genes but rather a steady, atmospheric 'diet' of industrial and commercial activities fueled by fossil fuels.

It is clear that concerted global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change are vital to safeguard the future of our environment and the well-being of humanity. Immediate and sustained action is necessary to prevent the severe and potentially irreversible impacts described in this review.