Humanity Could Irreversibly Alter Earth After Breaching 7 of 9 Safe Limits, Scientists Warn

In late August, a rock-ice avalanche in the Himalayas transformed into a debris flood that decimated communities across Nepal and neighboring regions. As of last week, the death toll in Nepal was over 1,300, and more than 5,000 people remained missing. Scientists believe rising global temperatures set the stage for this catastrophe.

This disaster is one of many this year that underscore the dangerous ways in which human activities are reshaping our planet. From burning fossil fuels and clearcutting forests…