Transformative Change for Sustainable Humanity on Earth

Introduction

• Human-dominated planet affecting Earth's systems.
• Awareness due to scientific advancements: negative impact on Earth’s stability.
• Need for transformative change, innovative ideas, new paradigms.

Historical Context

• Last 100,000 years: temperature variability and crisis-led human migration.
• Holocene era provided stable conditions for human development and population growth.

Modern Era Pressures (Quadruple Squeeze)

1. Population Growth:
   • Equity issue: rich minority historically caused most environmental impacts.
   • Global aspiration for unsustainable lifestyle adds pressure.
2. Climate Change:
   • Stabilize greenhouse gases to avoid exceeding 2°C temperature rise.
   • Risks: West Antarctic Ice Sheet, Greenland Ice Sheet melts.
3. Ecosystem Decline:
   • Sharp decline in ecosystem services in the last 50 years.
   • Loss of climate regulation from forests and biodiversity.
4. Surprise and Non-linear Behavior:
   • Ecosystems can tip rapidly and irreversibly.
   • Examples: Coral reefs, Arctic ice cover, tipping points in other biomes.

Anthropocene Epoch

• New geological era where humans are a primary driver of planetary change.
• Evidence from multiple environmental factors showing accelerated degradation.

Planetary Boundaries and Safe Operating Space

• Nine planetary boundaries identified to maintain stability:
  1. Climate change
  2. Stratospheric ozone depletion
  3. Ocean acidification
  4. Nitrogen cycle
  5. Phosphorus cycle
  6. Land use change
  7. Biodiversity loss
  8. Freshwater use
  9. Chemical pollution
• Importance of staying within boundaries for a safe operating space.

Transformative Governance and Management

• Move from linear, command-and-control to flexible, adaptive approaches.
• Invest in resilience, transformations, and adaptation capabilities.
• Emphasize redundancy in social and environmental systems.

Examples of Successful Transformative Change

• Zero Tillage Farming in Latin America:
  • Increased area under sustainable farming methods.
• Great Barrier Reef Conservation:
  • New governance strategies for resilience and sustainable tourism.
• Wetlands in Sweden:
  • Sustainable urban planning and crisis transformation.

Future Challenges and Opportunities

• Feeding 9 Billion People:
  • Need a new green revolution.
  • Sustainable agricultural practices to increase yields.
• Local and Global Governance:
  • Examples of successful local governance from Nobel laureate Elinor Ostrom.
  • Policy innovation like feed-in tariffs for renewable energy.

Conclusion

• Need for a paradigm shift and global collaboration.
• Transformative change essential for a sustainable and resilient future.
• Scientific evidence supports the possibility of a prosperous future within planetary boundaries.

Thank you for your attention. (Applause)