Naukovi Novyny, Vol 2, Issue 1, January 30, 2020
Decline of life on Earth and the need for change
Decline of life on Earth and the need for change
N. Filenko
N. Filenko
Sandra Díaz et al. [1] in the article “Pervasive human-driven decline of life on Earth points to the need for transformative change” provide data on the first integrated global-scale assessment of the links between people and nature, their current status and trends. The authors discuss as well the future of these links. This research, collectively from many institutions around the globe, provides an unprecedented picture of the extent of people-nature mutual dependence and the breadth and depth of the ongoing and impending crisis.
Sandra Díaz et al. [1] in the article “Pervasive human-driven decline of life on Earth points to the need for transformative change” provide data on the first integrated global-scale assessment of the links between people and nature, their current status and trends. The authors discuss as well the future of these links. This research, collectively from many institutions around the globe, provides an unprecedented picture of the extent of people-nature mutual dependence and the breadth and depth of the ongoing and impending crisis.
It is noted that human impacts on life on Earth have increased sharply starting from 1970s. Since that time not only population has doubled, but also per capita consumption has increased by 45% and the extraction of living materials from nature has increased by >200%. The world is increasingly managed now to maximize the flow of material contributions from nature to keep up with rising demands for food, energy, timber etc. Most indicators of the state of nature, whether monitored by natural and social scientists or by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, are declining. These include the number and population size of wild species, the number of local varieties of domesticated species, and the extent and integrity of many terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. As a consequence, nature’s capacity to provide crucial benefits has also declined. Furthermore, these trends in nature and its contributions to people are projected to worsen in the coming decade.
It is noted that human impacts on life on Earth have increased sharply starting from 1970s. Since that time not only population has doubled, but also per capita consumption has increased by 45% and the extraction of living materials from nature has increased by >200%. The world is increasingly managed now to maximize the flow of material contributions from nature to keep up with rising demands for food, energy, timber etc. Most indicators of the state of nature, whether monitored by natural and social scientists or by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, are declining. These include the number and population size of wild species, the number of local varieties of domesticated species, and the extent and integrity of many terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. As a consequence, nature’s capacity to provide crucial benefits has also declined. Furthermore, these trends in nature and its contributions to people are projected to worsen in the coming decade.
Authors give examples of global decline in nature:
Authors give examples of global decline in nature:
· Natural ecosystems have declined by 47% on average, relative to their earlies estimated states.
· Natural ecosystems have declined by 47% on average, relative to their earlies estimated states.
· Approximately 25% of species are already threatened with extinction in most plant and animal groups studied. The number of species currently threatened with extinction is unprecedented in human history: an estimated 1 million species of animals and plants.
· Approximately 25% of species are already threatened with extinction in most plant and animal groups studied. The number of species currently threatened with extinction is unprecedented in human history: an estimated 1 million species of animals and plants.
· The global biomass of wild mammals has fallen by 82%.
· The global biomass of wild mammals has fallen by 82%.
Other example is live coral cover on reefs that has nearly halved in the past 150 years and is projected to virtually disappear this century unless there is strong climate change mitigation. The unprecedented “appropriation” of nature have directly altered at least 70% of land surface, since the 1970s around 85% of wetland area has been lost. Also, 77% of rivers longer than 1000 km do not flow freely any more from source to sea.
Other example is live coral cover on reefs that has nearly halved in the past 150 years and is projected to virtually disappear this century unless there is strong climate change mitigation. The unprecedented “appropriation” of nature have directly altered at least 70% of land surface, since the 1970s around 85% of wetland area has been lost. Also, 77% of rivers longer than 1000 km do not flow freely any more from source to sea.
These declines have been caused by so called direct and indirect “drivers of change”. Among indirect ones authors list demographic and sociocultural as well as economic and technological values and behaviours. Among direct drivers, responsible for most change over the past 50 years, are land and sea use change, direct harvesting of many plants and animals, climate change, pollution and the spread of invasive alien species.
These declines have been caused by so called direct and indirect “drivers of change”. Among indirect ones authors list demographic and sociocultural as well as economic and technological values and behaviours. Among direct drivers, responsible for most change over the past 50 years, are land and sea use change, direct harvesting of many plants and animals, climate change, pollution and the spread of invasive alien species.
Authors’ assessment reveals clearly that to reverse nature’s ongoing decline will require transformative change, namely a fundamental, system-wide reorganization, which should make sustainability the norm rather than the altruistic exception. According to the authors, one important avenue to transformation is the improved implementation and enforcement of existing environmental policies and regulations and the removal and reform of harmful policies, such as subsidies for energy use or resource harvest. Article lists several so called leverage points, which could enable positive for planet transformative change, including following: reducing total consumption and waste, embracing diverse visions of a good life and ensuring environmentally friendly technology, innovation and investment.
Authors’ assessment reveals clearly that to reverse nature’s ongoing decline will require transformative change, namely a fundamental, system-wide reorganization, which should make sustainability the norm rather than the altruistic exception. According to the authors, one important avenue to transformation is the improved implementation and enforcement of existing environmental policies and regulations and the removal and reform of harmful policies, such as subsidies for energy use or resource harvest. Article lists several so called leverage points, which could enable positive for planet transformative change, including following: reducing total consumption and waste, embracing diverse visions of a good life and ensuring environmentally friendly technology, innovation and investment.
1. Díaz S et al. Pervasive human-driven decline of life on Earth points to the need for transformative change. Science. 2019 Dec 13;366(6471). pii: eaax3100. doi: 10.1126/science.aax3100 (https://science.sciencemag.org/content/366/6471/eaax3100).
1. Díaz S et al. Pervasive human-driven decline of life on Earth points to the need for transformative change. Science. 2019 Dec 13;366(6471). pii: eaax3100. doi: 10.1126/science.aax3100 (https://science.sciencemag.org/content/366/6471/eaax3100).