The United Nations called for the Millennium Ecosystem
Assessment in 2001 to assess the consequences of the changes in ecosystems on
human well being. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment was charged with finding
how ecosystems and their services have changed, what has caused these changes,
how these changes affect humans well being, and what options exists for the
conservation of the environment. The assessment included developing four global
scenarios for the future changes in the environment.
After collecting data for four years and considering realistic predictions for the future conditions of the environment the main findings were clear in pointing out that the significant changes in policies, institutions and practices that are necessary for reversing the degradation mankind continues to cause on the environment were not and ARE NOT underway.
We together globally are not meeting our responsibility to the planet. Humans continue to sustain increasing numbers of people and complex societies on limited resources. The neglect of awareness for the affect of humans on earth is shocking in light of the obvious changes around us. Over the past fifty years humans have had a greater effect on the earth than in any comparable time in human history. The impact of such advance has left a diminishing resource base to support our future. Approximately sixty percent of the earth’s ecosystem services, benefits people obtain from ecosystems, are being degraded. Any change in an ecosystem ripples into the complex communities interacting in the environment, together working as a functioning unit. The harmful effects of this degradation are borne by the impoverished disproportionately, creating divergent factions in societies organizations. The situation of ‘group conflict’ distracts from the reality of the interconnectedness of humans. The earth is being depleted and the availability for resources being exhausted threatens the livelihood of ALL humans.
From the demands for food, water, timber, fiber, and fuel to the indirect impact of the development of cities and the subsequent output of pollutants humans must find the right balance with the environment where sustainability outweighs consumption. There must be a consideration for the environment beyond human well being, there must be a consideration for the value of species diversity and ecosystem diversity in every choice and in every action. Consider your own impact and become active in the pursuit of bettering the world surrounding you.
After collecting data for four years and considering realistic predictions for the future conditions of the environment the main findings were clear in pointing out that the significant changes in policies, institutions and practices that are necessary for reversing the degradation mankind continues to cause on the environment were not and ARE NOT underway.
We together globally are not meeting our responsibility to the planet. Humans continue to sustain increasing numbers of people and complex societies on limited resources. The neglect of awareness for the affect of humans on earth is shocking in light of the obvious changes around us. Over the past fifty years humans have had a greater effect on the earth than in any comparable time in human history. The impact of such advance has left a diminishing resource base to support our future. Approximately sixty percent of the earth’s ecosystem services, benefits people obtain from ecosystems, are being degraded. Any change in an ecosystem ripples into the complex communities interacting in the environment, together working as a functioning unit. The harmful effects of this degradation are borne by the impoverished disproportionately, creating divergent factions in societies organizations. The situation of ‘group conflict’ distracts from the reality of the interconnectedness of humans. The earth is being depleted and the availability for resources being exhausted threatens the livelihood of ALL humans.
From the demands for food, water, timber, fiber, and fuel to the indirect impact of the development of cities and the subsequent output of pollutants humans must find the right balance with the environment where sustainability outweighs consumption. There must be a consideration for the environment beyond human well being, there must be a consideration for the value of species diversity and ecosystem diversity in every choice and in every action. Consider your own impact and become active in the pursuit of bettering the world surrounding you.
Hi, Hannah;
ReplyDeleteYou have provided a nice synopsis and background for the ESMA. Your blog is also well written. How did the reading about Easter Island contribute to your perspective this week? Did you find any contradictory information about the state of things during the activity for the week? Thanks!
For me Easter Island was a demonstrative tool. The island represented an isolated scenario that was very informative when paralleled with earth as a whole. The inhabitant of Easter Island let the contradictions of their social structure imbalance their relationship with nature much as global competition has in current times. The world together needs to become more informed, responsible, and cooperative if we are to not further permanently damage our ecosystem. I thought the readings coincided nicely. They were two separate examples but the information played off each other.
DeleteHi Hannah,
ReplyDeleteThe points that you touched on in your blog are well thought out and it's very evident that you had a full understanding of the assigned readings. "Any change in an ecosystem ripples into the complex communities interacting in the environment, together working as a functioning unit. The harmful effects of this degradation are borne by the impoverished disproportionately, creating divergent factions in societies organizations." This passage from you blog truly sums up the severity of our actions that we continue to commit against our environment. I agree with you that communities across all sectors need to communicate with one another in order to make the necessary improvements that can minimize the amount of ecological services that we're thoughtless consuming as a society. After reading the assigned articles, are there certain improvements that you can make in your own lifestyle that will help minimize your ecological footprint? In my opinion, the Easter Island readings really helped put everything into perspective in regards to the over consumption of resources. What were your thoughts about this article? I really enjoyed reading your blog, the context is easy to comprehend and very informative. Great Job!
Bree-
DeleteThere are definitely things in my life that I could alter in order to create less waste. For instance drinking water bottles, I drink a ton of water but I am very hesitant to drink tap water here in Stillwater because of a letter I received from the city but because of my precautions I go through a lot of water bottles. Other things such as not turning the water off while brushing my teeth or washing my face all would make a difference. I have read before that leaving the water on while brushing your teeth can waste up to 2 gallons of water so I try to keep that in mind while brushing my teeth.
Hi Hannah, To put a different spin on things, the whole point of the consideration of the environment is FOR our human well being. What is your opinion on why we need to go beyond that? A lot of people I encounter are more concerned with the well being of the planet than they are with the well being of humans. If that is the case for everyone, how far should we go in conserving our planet above the people who live in it? There are other issues out there that people are against yet they are in support of “saving the planet.” I’m talking about abortion issues, fiscal responsibility and gay marriage. Babies are being killed, people and our government are in debt and the family unit is being destroyed by allowing gay marriage. All of these issues affect the American family. Also in response to your statement, “ The neglect of awareness for the affect of humans on earth is shocking in light of the obvious changes around us,” I would like to ask you if you think that people are really unaware or they just don’t think our resources are in danger and/or do not care.
ReplyDeleteHi, Andrea; One of the unique features of the Ecosystem Millennium Assessment is how closely the report correlates the environmental issues it discusses with human well-being, as the diminished ecosystem services directly affect human well-being. It seems in this light, sustainability is highly related to our well-being: social, economic, and environmental, etc. Indeed, the campaign has not been about saving the planet for quite some time now, as Earth naturally regenerates itself with OR without us. It is, rather, our tenure here that is of the greatest concern. Thus, I think the course materials may provide your argument greater support and credibility.
DeleteI stressed the importance of preserving the ecosystem without much reflection on the correlation to human well being because I believe that humans essentially will never neglect their own self-preservation. The environmental measures garnered towards a more sustainable society are not intended to be detrimental in anyway to the human condition if their long term intent is at preserving our home, the earth. To answer your other question about I think that it is a mixture of the three. I believe that some are unaware while some do not realize the extensive amount of resources we are using but I think a lot of people just do not care. I think that the majority of people do not think that this issue will directly affect them so they spend little time worrying about it.
Delete