As our population grows from 7 billion to 10 billion, so to grows our impact on the planet
As the worlds population increases so naturally does our requirement for increased resources. An increasing global population drives and/or impacts on:
- Climate change
- Ecosystems and wildlife survival - the 6th mass extinction
- Food production and consumption
- Water reserves
- Urban sprawl
- Production of pollution and waste
- Emerging infectious diseases
- Climate change
- Ecosystems and wildlife survival - the 6th mass extinction
- Food production and consumption
- Water reserves
- Urban sprawl
- Production of pollution and waste
- Emerging infectious diseases
Climate Change
Earth's average temperature has risen by 1.4°F over the past century, and is projected to rise another 2 to 11.5°F over the next hundred years. Small changes in the average temperature of the planet can translate to large and
potentially dangerous shifts in climate and weather.
The evidence is clear. Rising global temperatures have been accompanied by changes in weather and climate. Many places have seen changes in rainfall, resulting in more floods, droughts, or intense rain, as well as more
frequent and severe heat waves. The planet's oceans and glaciers have also experienced some big changes - oceans are warming and becoming more acidic, ice caps are melting, and sea levels are rising. As these and other changes become more pronounced in the coming decades, they will likely present challenges to our society and our environment.
Over the past century, human activities have released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The majority of greenhouse gases come from burning fossil fuels to produce energy, although deforestation, industrial processes, and some agricultural practices also emit gases into the atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases act like a blanket around Earth, trapping energy in the atmosphere and causing it to warm. This phenomenon is called the greenhouse effect and is natural and necessary to support life on Earth. However, the buildup of greenhouse gases can change Earth's climate and result in dangerous effects to human health and welfare and to ecosystems (from the EPA website).
Links to Climate Change websites
- EPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency - for basic information on climate change and the science behind it
- Climate Change Education.org - an education website showcasing great projects and school programmes from around the world
- CarboSchools - partnerships between climate researchers and secondary school teachers
- Climate change - UK website showing how you can take action to reduce climate change
Links to Short Videos
- No Place like Home - short 4 minute video on the impact on climate change to climate refugees
-Climate Refugees Trailer - This film is about what happens when an over populated world with lack of resources and a changing climate all collide with each other. An intersection of humanity that many are calling the greatest challenge mankind will ever face.
- An Inconvenient Truth - Trailer
potentially dangerous shifts in climate and weather.
The evidence is clear. Rising global temperatures have been accompanied by changes in weather and climate. Many places have seen changes in rainfall, resulting in more floods, droughts, or intense rain, as well as more
frequent and severe heat waves. The planet's oceans and glaciers have also experienced some big changes - oceans are warming and becoming more acidic, ice caps are melting, and sea levels are rising. As these and other changes become more pronounced in the coming decades, they will likely present challenges to our society and our environment.
Over the past century, human activities have released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The majority of greenhouse gases come from burning fossil fuels to produce energy, although deforestation, industrial processes, and some agricultural practices also emit gases into the atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases act like a blanket around Earth, trapping energy in the atmosphere and causing it to warm. This phenomenon is called the greenhouse effect and is natural and necessary to support life on Earth. However, the buildup of greenhouse gases can change Earth's climate and result in dangerous effects to human health and welfare and to ecosystems (from the EPA website).
Links to Climate Change websites
- EPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency - for basic information on climate change and the science behind it
- Climate Change Education.org - an education website showcasing great projects and school programmes from around the world
- CarboSchools - partnerships between climate researchers and secondary school teachers
- Climate change - UK website showing how you can take action to reduce climate change
Links to Short Videos
- No Place like Home - short 4 minute video on the impact on climate change to climate refugees
-Climate Refugees Trailer - This film is about what happens when an over populated world with lack of resources and a changing climate all collide with each other. An intersection of humanity that many are calling the greatest challenge mankind will ever face.
- An Inconvenient Truth - Trailer
Ecosystems and Wildlife Survival - the 6th Mass Extinction
In the Last 500 million years, the earth has experienced five mass Extinctions. We are at a critical moment. What happens over the next 50-100 years will determine what the earth looks like for the next ten million. Scientists around the world agree that the 6th mass extinction is upon us. For the very first time in our planets history, this mass extinction is not being driven by natural catastrophes, but by the impact of one species. Homosapiens.
Human demographic success has brought the world to this crisis of biodiversity. Human beings....have become a hundred times more numerous than any other land animal of comparable size in the history of life. By every
conceivable measure, humanity is ecologically abnormal. Our species appropriates between 20 and 40 per cent of the solar energy captured in landplants. There is no way that we can draw upon the resources of the planet to such a degree without drastically reducing the state of most other species....." Edward O Wilson
Links to other websites and videos
The 6th Extinction - This excellent 5 minute short film probes the extinction crisis and examines solutions to protect the earth's gift of biodiversity.
Human demographic success has brought the world to this crisis of biodiversity. Human beings....have become a hundred times more numerous than any other land animal of comparable size in the history of life. By every
conceivable measure, humanity is ecologically abnormal. Our species appropriates between 20 and 40 per cent of the solar energy captured in landplants. There is no way that we can draw upon the resources of the planet to such a degree without drastically reducing the state of most other species....." Edward O Wilson
Links to other websites and videos
The 6th Extinction - This excellent 5 minute short film probes the extinction crisis and examines solutions to protect the earth's gift of biodiversity.
Food Production and Consumption
We have already overfished many of our waters and more intensive farming practices are putting pressure on local water supplies and demands for basic foods such as wheat and fishmeal. Peak wheat production has already been and gone. What happens when there is no more water for irrigation to grow the worlds food or when the demand for food cannot be met?
Intensive Farming
As demands for cheap readily available food sources increase along with increasing world wide populations, so intensive farming of livestock to increase productivity is on the increase. But is it sustainable and what are the alternatives?
The ethics - There are serious welfare issues associated with intensive farming practices. Although intensive farming of many animal species (particularly pigs and hens) is now illegal in several countries within the EU because of welfare issues, battery farming of chickens and intensive farming of pigs is legal and widespread practice throughout Australasia.
Human health - Intensive farming practices have been linked to the outbreak of emerging infectious diseases. As animals are held in more confined areas, in areas where they overlap with wild animal carriers, the risk of a spillover pandemic increases.
Environmental health - Intensive farming impacts on the environment as effluent is dumped into local soils and waterways.
Alternative farming methods (free range) may take up more space but are healthier for all. Space is only an issue when our numbers demand ever increasing food supplies.
Links to find out more
Stop Factory Farming - NZ
Overfishing
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Associations (FOA) 2 yearly report on the state of the worlds fishing and aquaculture (SOFIA), over 25% of all the world's fish stocks are either overexploited or depleted. Another 52% is fully exploited, these are in imminent danger of overexploitation and collapse. Thus a total of almost 80% of the world's fisheries are fully- to over-exploited, depleted, or in a state of collapse. Worldwide about 90% of the stocks of large predatory fish stocks are already gone. In the real world all this comes down to two serious problems:
- We are losing species as well as entire ecosystems. As a result the overall ecological unity of our ocenas are under stress and at risk of collapse.
- We are at risk of lsing a valuable food source many depend upon for social, economical or dietary reasons.
Links to find out more
The End of the Line - Movie Trailer
Intensive Farming
As demands for cheap readily available food sources increase along with increasing world wide populations, so intensive farming of livestock to increase productivity is on the increase. But is it sustainable and what are the alternatives?
The ethics - There are serious welfare issues associated with intensive farming practices. Although intensive farming of many animal species (particularly pigs and hens) is now illegal in several countries within the EU because of welfare issues, battery farming of chickens and intensive farming of pigs is legal and widespread practice throughout Australasia.
Human health - Intensive farming practices have been linked to the outbreak of emerging infectious diseases. As animals are held in more confined areas, in areas where they overlap with wild animal carriers, the risk of a spillover pandemic increases.
Environmental health - Intensive farming impacts on the environment as effluent is dumped into local soils and waterways.
Alternative farming methods (free range) may take up more space but are healthier for all. Space is only an issue when our numbers demand ever increasing food supplies.
Links to find out more
Stop Factory Farming - NZ
Overfishing
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Associations (FOA) 2 yearly report on the state of the worlds fishing and aquaculture (SOFIA), over 25% of all the world's fish stocks are either overexploited or depleted. Another 52% is fully exploited, these are in imminent danger of overexploitation and collapse. Thus a total of almost 80% of the world's fisheries are fully- to over-exploited, depleted, or in a state of collapse. Worldwide about 90% of the stocks of large predatory fish stocks are already gone. In the real world all this comes down to two serious problems:
- We are losing species as well as entire ecosystems. As a result the overall ecological unity of our ocenas are under stress and at risk of collapse.
- We are at risk of lsing a valuable food source many depend upon for social, economical or dietary reasons.
Links to find out more
The End of the Line - Movie Trailer
Water Reserves
Water use worldwide doubled between 1960 and 2000, during which time world population doubled. It means that although the average per person water use has remained about the same (Population Matters) and increasing worldwide population is depleting the worlds fresh water resources at an unsustainable rate. Many ancient aquifers have disappeared or dropped to alarming levels as more water is required for agriculture and human drinking water. Water is already more precious in many countries than gold and wars are often fought to secure new water sources.
“Among the environmental specters confronting humanity in the 21st century—global warming, the destruction of rain forests, overfishing of the oceans—a shortage of fresh water is at the top of the list, particularly in the developing world. Hardly a month passes without a new study making another alarming prediction, further deepening concern over what a World Bank expert calls the "grim arithmetic of water." Recently the United Nations said that 2.7 billion people would face severe water shortages by 2025 if consumption continues at current rates. Fears about a parched future arise from a projected growth of world population from more than six billion today to an estimated nine billion in 2050. Yet the amount of fresh water on Earth is not increasing. Nearly 97 percent of the planet's water is salt water in seas and oceans. Close to 2 percent of Earth's water is frozen in polar ice sheets and glaciers, and a fraction of one percent is available for drinking, irrigation,
and industrial use. Gloomy water news, however, is not just a thing of the future: Today an estimated 1.2 billion people drink unclean water, and about 2.5 billion lack
proper toilets or sewerage systems. More than five million people die each year from water-related diseases such as cholera and dysentery. All over the globe farmers and municipalities are pumping water out of the ground faster than it can be replenished.” - Fen Montaigne, (National Geographic).
LInks
Cyprus Runs Out of Water - Cyprus is the first country in the European Union to run out of water
“Among the environmental specters confronting humanity in the 21st century—global warming, the destruction of rain forests, overfishing of the oceans—a shortage of fresh water is at the top of the list, particularly in the developing world. Hardly a month passes without a new study making another alarming prediction, further deepening concern over what a World Bank expert calls the "grim arithmetic of water." Recently the United Nations said that 2.7 billion people would face severe water shortages by 2025 if consumption continues at current rates. Fears about a parched future arise from a projected growth of world population from more than six billion today to an estimated nine billion in 2050. Yet the amount of fresh water on Earth is not increasing. Nearly 97 percent of the planet's water is salt water in seas and oceans. Close to 2 percent of Earth's water is frozen in polar ice sheets and glaciers, and a fraction of one percent is available for drinking, irrigation,
and industrial use. Gloomy water news, however, is not just a thing of the future: Today an estimated 1.2 billion people drink unclean water, and about 2.5 billion lack
proper toilets or sewerage systems. More than five million people die each year from water-related diseases such as cholera and dysentery. All over the globe farmers and municipalities are pumping water out of the ground faster than it can be replenished.” - Fen Montaigne, (National Geographic).
LInks
Cyprus Runs Out of Water - Cyprus is the first country in the European Union to run out of water
Urban Sprawl
An increasing worldwide population requires more space to live in. Much of this space is newly cleared wilderness areas or land once used for food production. Sensible building plans are needed to ensure that our natural areas are preserved, not concreted over.
Links
Built to last - a short 2 minute video on carbon footprint of urban sprawl and rethinking urban design
Links
Built to last - a short 2 minute video on carbon footprint of urban sprawl and rethinking urban design
Pollution and Waste
As populations increase so too does consumption, pollution and waste production. Developing countries with high populations and poor infrastructure are now coping with serious air pollution, water pollution, and leaching of toxins into the soil. Not only does this create a serious health issue for the people living there but also creates a serious issue for the environment.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
As our world population expands so to do we increase the liklihood of exposure to emerging infectious diseases.
The majority of infectious diseases today are zoonotic in nature - in other words they are passed from animal hosts (where they may not cause any harm) to people. Zoonotic diseases include the influenzas, the plague, TB, SAR's, Ebola, Aids, Lymes disease and a host of others. They pass to human populatiosn from wild animal reservoirs when conditions are right: in other words when there is direct contact between the species, amplification of the wild disease in a carrier species (such as domestic pigs, chickens, etc), high human population densities for ease of disease spread, and rapid travel of people between countries to turn the disease into an pandemic.
The risk of stumbling across new infectious diseases is significantly increased as man ventures into once wild habitats, clear felling forests for agriculture and space and through intensive farming practices which increase the possibility of transmission between a host species and humans. To find out more we recommend reading David Quammans book - Spillover.
Links
Spillover - a short video looking at the origin of emerging infectious diseases and the spillover effect of wildlife diseases to humans
The majority of infectious diseases today are zoonotic in nature - in other words they are passed from animal hosts (where they may not cause any harm) to people. Zoonotic diseases include the influenzas, the plague, TB, SAR's, Ebola, Aids, Lymes disease and a host of others. They pass to human populatiosn from wild animal reservoirs when conditions are right: in other words when there is direct contact between the species, amplification of the wild disease in a carrier species (such as domestic pigs, chickens, etc), high human population densities for ease of disease spread, and rapid travel of people between countries to turn the disease into an pandemic.
The risk of stumbling across new infectious diseases is significantly increased as man ventures into once wild habitats, clear felling forests for agriculture and space and through intensive farming practices which increase the possibility of transmission between a host species and humans. To find out more we recommend reading David Quammans book - Spillover.
Links
Spillover - a short video looking at the origin of emerging infectious diseases and the spillover effect of wildlife diseases to humans