This article is actually an assessment submission I made today for my “Ecological and Environmental Economics for Sustainable Development” unit. For this assessment, we were asked to:
“Discuss the possible abrupt environmental change that could occur if these boundaries are transgressed. Explain how economics affects these boundaries and propose possible governance and management solutions working within a ‘planetary boundaries’ framework. This is a very large topic, so to be fair, stick to a cursory explanation of one boundary using one example globally“.This assessment pertained to the paper: Rockstrom, J et. al. (2009). ’Exploring the safe operating space for humanity’. Ecology and Society 14(2): 32.
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Biodiversity Loss – Fauna
As we have previously discussed in topic 1, economicpressures driven from increased consumption impacts on all aspects of the environment; our increasing need to support growing populations demand resources that negatively impacts on the environment which supplies them (Asafu-Adjaye, 2009; Costanza et al., 1997; McTaggart et al., 2003; Pearce et al., 1993; Sullivan, 2012a, 2012b; Waud et al., 1989). Although subtle at first, these impacts increase the vulnerability of ecosystems by decaying its resilience (Campbell et al., 2009; Smith et al., 2009). Further impacts result in more pronounced change such as biodiversity loss (Asafu-Adjaye, 2009; Campbell et al., 2009; McTaggart et al., 2003) that eventually result in a catastrophic environmental shift as the services performed by these species is also lost (Smith et al., 2009).
Current and projected rates of species loss is identified as being the sixth major extinction event in the earths history but is the first to be directly associated with anthropogenic pressures (Rockström et al., 2009). Evidence from previous major extinction events indicates that changes are irreversible and that biodiversity is important in stopping undesirable environment changes (Campbell et al., 2009; Rockström et al., 2009).
Globally, 25% of species is threatened with extinction (Rockström et al., 2009). This situation is compounded by theories such as The Theory of Island Biogeography. This theory postulates that islands are in dynamic equilibrium, that is, rates of species colonisation and extinction are in balance. Pressure one way or either side will cause change in community composition (Goldingay, 2011). Australia typifies this theory with the most species extinct in the shortest amount of time (Campbell et al., 2009; Department of Sustainability, Environment, Population and Community, 1999). The Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) identifies 23 bird, 4 frog and 27 mammal and 1 other species extinctions in Australia since European Settlement (1788) (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Population and Community, 1999). This act does not account for loss in invertebrate losses which also provide vital ecological services. The EPBC list a further 16 species of fish, 15 frog, 16 reptile, 44 bird, 35 mammal and 17 other species as endangered plus a total of 200 species are listed as vulnerable (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, 2009).
The inner green space indicates the safe operating space for humanity. Three of the nine sectors identified as vital for our existence have already exceeded the rate of sustainability. These are biodiversity loss, nitrogen cycles and climate change. Image from http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?tag=environment
Change is inevitable, however, the rate and degree of change is still within our control. Effective management strategies must be employed globally to maximise conservation efforts and effect. While there are firm moves towards this end, current fragmented and inefficient attempts at management are falling short of the mark (eg: international whaling laws). Such management strategies could then influence the economic demands for natural materials, slowing consumption rates that impact on environmental health. This is especially important in the face of a growing global population.
Post note: This subject is HUGE and this is the tip of the ice berg. I have, for the sake of simplicity, left out many theories and contributing factors (eg: climate change acceleration, niche alterations, species emergence ect). It is meant to just be a brief over view to demonstrate our understanding on the topic at hand, and discussion is entered into on the universities forums.
References
Asafu-Adjaye, J. (2009). Environmental economics for non economists: techniques and policies for sustainable development. (2nd ed.). Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pty. Ltd.
Campbell, N. A., Reece, J. B., Taylor, M. R., Simon, E. J., & Dickey, J. L. (2009). Biology: concept and connections (Vol. 6th). San Francisco, CA: Benjamin Cummings.
Costanza, R., Cumberland, J., Daly, H., Goodland, R., & Norgaard, R. (1997). An introduction to Ecological Economics. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Population and Community (1999). Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999). Department of Sustainability, Environment, Population and Community Retrieved 24 April, from http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (2009). EPBC Act List of Threatened Fauna Retrieved 1 March, 2012, from http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=fauna
Goldingay, R. L. (2011). BIO00212 / BIO003103 Wildlife Conservation Study Guide (4th ed.). Lismore: Southern Cross University.
McTaggart, D., Findlay, C., & Parkin, M. (2003). Economics (4th ed.). Sydney, New South Wales: Pearson Education Australia Pty Ltd.
Pearce, D. W., & Warford, J. J. (1993). World without End; Economics, Environment and Sustainable Development. New York, New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.
Rockström, J., Steffen, W., Noone, K., Persson, A., Chapin, I., F.S., Lambin, E., . . . Foley, J. (2009). Planetary boundaries: exploring the safe operating space for humanity. Ecology and Society, 14(2), 32.
Smith, T. M., & Smith, R. L. (2009). Elements of Ecology (7th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson Education inc.
Sullivan, C. A. (2012a, 21 February). [Week One Lecture: How Economy Works].
Sullivan, C. A. (2012b, 28 February). [Week Two Lecture: Ecological or Environmental Economics?].
Waud, R. N., Hocking, A., Maxwell, P., & Bonnici, J. (1989). Economics (Australian ed.). New York, New York: Harper and Row Publishers Inc.
Once again an absolutely brilliant post. It’s also even more brilliant to me personally because I have some sort of personal investment in this type and level of understanding. Let me explain. Deep Ecology is an attempt to bring consciousness into the domain of Environmentalism. I believe this is a good thing, as I perceive that the specialisations that have emerged in the academic arena are somewhat unsatisfactory for the purpose of elaborating the kinds of solutions which we now and inevitably will find ourselves reaching for. I speak here of what might be referred to as “miracles” Let’s for now simply define a miracle as when an outcome is actually better than that which we had planned by way of a solution and strategy. My own research on sustainability has resulted in the proposition of a new kind of Deep Ecology which I have called Deep Resonance Ecology. The reason for this is as follows. The Scientific type of knowledge displayed and evidenced by your post is obviously incredibly important, meaningful and necessary. However I would also suggest that it may be found wanting when we start to realize that what we actually do require are indeed miracles. Of course the word does imply some kind of supernatural, spiritual or metaphysical dimension and this is also by definition part of the intended meaning. Yes we are wading into some potentially murky waters here. Nevertheless I would at this time emphatically suggest that a Deep Resonance Ecology is what will be required before the darkness yields to the emerging dawn. The integration of the word Resonance WITH the phrase Deep Ecology is intended to convey the agency of a feminine energy which can now be seen flowing and flowering in all the departments of life. Mother nature has come to occupy a more important if not a central place in our consciousness. Socio-politically feminism has in part restored the balance to the Phalocentrism of our recent history and which continues in great measure in the present. Socio-spiritually we have seen the phenomenon of the religious Goddess enter into the consciousness of the West primarily via Hindu concepts of Goddess, In science we have had Quantum Theory which has brought a new feminine dynamic to the Newtonian-Cartesian paradigm. Now that the “Goddess” is all dressed up she wants to be taken out for a dance. She would in fact be happy to demonstrate the miraculousness of her essential nature. But a girl does like to be invited. I believe it’s time to start entertaining the possibilities of the miraculous, of Deep Resonance Ecology and of a Synergy in which the whole is greater that the sum of its parts. None of us are perfect in our inevitably specialised points of view. Therefore the miraculous may require some kind of new synthetic crossing of boundaries. Would you care to dance?
Once again, I have to thank you for such a thoughtful comment. It is perhaps one of the greatest single pieces of feedback I have received from my work. I appreciate that, and find it rewarding and encouraging.
The term Deep Ecology is one that I have stumbled across only in the last week or two while doing research for various articles and assignments. I have a very basic understanding, but what you describe here is very thought provoking. Of course, I would chose to dance!
Mirzrhi this was a good article and you’re touching on what I feel is the most important issue on our planet right now. I would agree with Dr Quantum that Synergy for the whole is the key. Synergy and harmony. We must identify our interconnectedness and feel it, so that we can be touched by what is happened and then and only then will people respond en masse !
You are right when you say that the consumption chain and population are responsible for the current crisis. That has always been the case but now, even more so. Fort me it’s simple. So many of us look outside of ourselves for happiness and this drives our desire for things (wants) in preference to our basic needs. Everything we truly need for happiness is within. But so few people realize this. We need to teach people about their role in the consumption chain and how the addictive behaviours of dissatisfaction are driving excess consumption.
I once visited Leigh Creek Coal mine in South Australia – a huge hole in the ground that has totally decimated the landscape and whatever biodiversity was once there. Down the road is the Port Augusta power plant that provides electricity for Adelaide. When you see the cost of convenience – it’s totally shocking. I often imagine what I saw multiplied by several thousand and it’s a complete shock to my psyche. More people need to see what is being lost and how and learn about their role in the whole saga.
I don’t believe in the whole man made climate change fiasco (after looking at it since 1989 and swapping sides) and when I hear all the who-ha that happens in response to that ‘perceived issue’ it sickens me to know that biodiversity loss and proactive steps to render it a national/international priority, are just a pale shadow. If we were perceived as the ones who were being threatened with extinction – so much would be so different ! And yet that may well be the reality one day as a result of our actions now.
Keep up the great work in waking people up to the reality of what is happening to our beautiful fragile biosphere.
Peace,
Bright
Hello, Bright!
Thank you so much for a well thought out, thought provoking comment. I am so glad to hear from my readers, and I really hope I can hear from you on some of the other topics posted throughout this blog! (eg: kangaroo meat post has been hugely controversial which I knew it would be – would love to hear your thoughts!)
I think you are so very right with this:
“We need to teach people about their role in the consumption chain and how the addictive behaviours of dissatisfaction are driving excess consumption.”
When we were kids, we would spend all weekend, every weekend riding our bikes all over the suburbs. It kept us amused, entertained and taught us so much about world around us and life in general. Granted, you cant allow that to happen these days because our society has grown so unhealthy that risks to our kids are around every corner. Our society, as a whole has undergone some dramatic changes. Some of these changes are borne out of greed.
Anyway, Its a huge subject, but thanks for commenting. I appreciate it!
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