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Ecological crisis: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Planetary boundaries.png|alt=Planetary Boundaries framework (2022) showing 5 boundaries transgressed.|thumb|400x400px|Planetary Boundaries framework (2022) - climate change is only one of the 5 boundaries transgressed.<ref name=":1" />]] | [[File:Planetary boundaries.png|alt=Planetary Boundaries framework (2022) showing 5 boundaries transgressed.|thumb|400x400px|'''Figure 1.''' Planetary Boundaries framework (2022) - climate change is only one of the 5 boundaries transgressed.<ref name=":1" />]] | ||
'''In the 1960s, humans took about three-quarters of what the planet could regenerate annually.'''<ref name=":1">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2020.615419/full</ref> '''By 2016 this rose to 170 percent.''' We are now amidst''',''' a [[Ecological Crisis Timeline|great race]] between how fast we can get to a [[social tipping point]] versus the time it takes to reach a [[global ecological tipping point]]. Of the 9 recognised planetary boundaries we have already transgressed | '''In the 1960s, humans took about three-quarters of what the planet could regenerate annually.'''<ref name=":1">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2020.615419/full</ref> '''By 2016 this rose to 170 percent.''' We are now amidst''',''' a [[Ecological Crisis Timeline|great race]] between how fast we can get to a [[social tipping point]] versus the time it takes to reach a [[global ecological tipping point]]. Of the 9 recognised planetary boundaries ('''Figure 1''') we have already transgressed five: | ||
* '''Climate change''' - s''ince records began in 1880, nineteen of the twenty hottest years have occurred since 2000''<ref>NASA, Global Temperature: https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/</ref>''.'' | * '''Climate change''' - s''ince records began in 1880, nineteen of the twenty hottest years have occurred since 2000''<ref>NASA, Global Temperature: https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/</ref>''.'' | ||
*'''Biodiversity loss''' - there has been a 68% average decline in the population sizes of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish between 1970 and 2016<ref>IPBES, Media Release, Nature’s Dangerous Decline ‘Unprecedented’; Species Extinction Rates ‘Accelerating’ May 2019</ref>. | *'''Biodiversity loss''' - there has been a 68% average decline in the population sizes of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish between 1970 and 2016<ref>IPBES, Media Release, Nature’s Dangerous Decline ‘Unprecedented’; Species Extinction Rates ‘Accelerating’ May 2019</ref>. | ||
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== Root Cause == | == Root Cause == | ||
In the study of medicine, when a symptom develops a bad doctor will only treat the symptoms | In the study of medicine, when a symptom develops, a bad doctor will only treat the symptoms. A good doctor will treat the symptoms whilst looking for the root cause. We are currently concentrating on most pressing symptom, climate change, our remedy is divesting from fossil fuels and investing in renewables however this distracts from the other growing symptoms and reduces the collective alarm to persist and address the root cause. | ||
It's easy to say its capitalism, the pursuit of profit, however perhaps it is ignorance of ''hidden'' [[externalities]]. | It's easy to say its capitalism, the pursuit of profit, however perhaps it is ignorance of ''hidden'' [[externalities]]. | ||
=== References === | === References === | ||