Sustainable Development and Environmental Crisis

Key Messages

• Humans have become a major threat to the planet.
• Economic production is vast and has significant impacts on Earth's systems.
• 7.2 billion people producing $12,000 per person annually results in an $80-90 trillion world economy.
• This scale of activity affects the climate system, water cycle, nitrogen cycle, and ocean chemistry.

Environmental Crisis

• Unprecedented environmental crisis due to:
  • Water usage
  • Energy consumption
  • Land use for food production
  • Pollution poisoning air and waterways
• Affects both rich and poor regions.

Examples of Environmental Impact

• Hurricane Sandy (2012): Major flooding in New York City.
• Flooding in Beijing (2012): Major flooding impacted the city.
• Flooding in Bangkok (2011): Massive economic and property damage.
• American West Forest Fires (2012): Result of severe droughts.

Increase in Hydro-Meteorological Disasters

• Increase in extreme weather events like storms, hurricanes, typhoons, heatwaves, and droughts.
• These events disrupt global supply chains and economies.

Anthropocene Epoch

• Scientists call the current era the "Anthropocene," highlighting human impact on Earth.
• Significant changes in climate, water cycle, and other fundamental Earth systems.

Drivers of Environmental Change

• Massive use of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) leading to carbon dioxide emissions.
• Carbon dioxide levels have soared to 400 parts per million, a level not seen for 3 million years.
• This contributes to global warming and extreme weather events.

Broader Environmental Impact

• Not just CO2 but also:
  • Water use
  • Nitrogen fertilizers affecting the nitrogen cycle
  • Ocean acidification
  • Deforestation
• Scientists warn we are exceeding safe planetary boundaries.

Planetary Boundaries

• Identified safe operating limits for the planet include:
  • Climate change
  • Ocean acidification
  • Ozone depletion
  • Nitrogen and phosphorus cycles
  • Global freshwater use
  • Land use changes
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Aerosol loading
  • Chemical pollution
• Exceeding these boundaries poses risks to humanity and future generations.

Goal of Sustainable Development

• Understand risks and stay within safe planetary boundaries.
• Aim for economic prosperity, social inclusion, poverty eradication, and environmental sustainability.