Study highlights global decline

[Blue Velvet]

Just in case you didn't have enough to worry about...

The most comprehensive survey ever into the state of the planet concludes that human activities threaten the Earth's ability to sustain future generations.

The report says the way society obtains its resources has caused irreversible changes that are degrading the natural processes that support life on Earth. This will compromise efforts to address hunger, poverty and improve healthcare.

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment was drawn up by 1,300 researchers from 95 nations over a period of four years.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4391835.stm

This study (the MA) has cost some $20m to put together. It was funded by the Global Environment Facility, the United Nations Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the World Bank and others.

 

[igucl]

An article recently featured in Scientific American claimed that the start of agriculture was the start of global warming. Obviously the Industrial Revolution accelerated the process, but isn't it interesting that we would be making a difference even without combustion. Of course it would have taken longer, but wouldn't the effect eventually be identical?

 

[wdlove]

It seems to be quite dyer information. The problem will be to make any positive progress without ruining economic progress.

 

[MongoTheGeek]

An article recently featured in Scientific American claimed that the start of agriculture was the start of global warming. Obviously the Industrial Revolution accelerated the process, but isn't it interesting that we would be making a difference even without combustion. Of course it would have taken longer, but wouldn't the effect eventually be identical?

I have heard the theory that the great die-off started 100,000 ish years ago when man began running around with torches burning things and that the fossil record is particularly compelling in Australia where the change is newer.

 

[Ambrose Chapel]

[u.s. media coverage of this]
look over there - it's michael jackson!
[/u.s. media coverage of this]

i hope this and other related warnings spur serious public discussion and action, but i'm not holding my breath...