Existential

ex·is·ten·tial
adjective
relating to existence.
PHILOSOPHY
concerned with existence, especially human existence as viewed in the theories of existentialism.

The philosopher, cognitive scientist, historian and social critic Noam Chomsky has said that climate change (as well as nuclear war) poses an existential threat. He’s not the only one. California Governor Jerry Brown said as much when he committed his state to set a goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. And United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres recently called it that at the R20 Austrian World Summit.

Really? A threat to our very existence?

It depends on your definition of ‘our.’ (You probably thought I was going to relate it to the definition of ‘existence.’ Nope. The definition above lays that out as well as can be.) If by ‘our’ existence, you mean, all life on earth, including, but not limited to human beings, then I disagree.

The report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, is out. Its prognosis for the planet is not good: There may be as little as 12 years to act on climate change to reach this goal. With the current rise of 1 degree above pre-industrial levels, we are experiencing the terrible effects: melting ice caps, rising sea levels, damaging weather extremes to name a few. Another degree or less will make things much worse. “Climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security, and economic growth are projected to increase with global warming of 1.5°C and increase further with 2°C,” according to the report. Vox summarizes, "2°C of warming is worse than 1.5°C, and 1.5°C is much worse than the 1°C we’re experiencing now."

What’s more, all this is happening even sooner than expected. The worst-case, if nothing at all is done, global temperatures could rise more than 4 degrees above pre-industrial levels by the year 2100. This would result in a ‘hothouse earth’ scenario.

Even if this happens, I believe life will still go on. We humans will still manage to survive as a species. At least a few of us. And for those, not so well.

On the other hand, if you mean that ‘our’ means,  our way of life, then I think you’re spot on. Even in the best case scenario, things are grim, and all people will suffer. But either way, some of us will probably survive.

It’s only a matter of degree.

Here’s the thing though. The UN report tells us that there's still a chance. We can right this ship; we only need to start now. This is what you can do:

1) Vote
2) Vote for candidates who believe climate change is occurring
3) Vote for candidates who believe climate change is caused by human activity
4) Vote for candidates who are willing to take action to reverse human-caused climate change

Please, make no exceptions. We must act now. Not tomorrow. Our existence depends on it.

It’s even more than a matter of degree.