Chapter 17Earth and the Human

Denominator

Borrowing (and paraphrasing) from text discussion

- progressing into the 21th Century, we hold unprecedented power to impact and alter the physical environment, even to the point of environmental destruction

- at the same time, mankind is more dependent on resources than at any time in history

… and this is true for both the LDCs and MDCs

… in an increasingly “globalized” world very little takes place in a spatial vacuum

In a future of systemic relationships the text asks, Who speaks for Earth? … more pragmatically, Who should speak for the Earth?

Text also presents us a statement for which I would be interested in your reaction:

“People, when informed, generally favor environmental protection and public health progress over economic interests.” (p. 564)

--- What is your “take” on the statement?--- What have you given up for the environment?

Expanding the author’s quote some of his topics

“People, when informed, generally favor environmental protection and public health progress over economic interests.” (p. 564)

An Oily Bird – we know the environmental destruction of the Exxon Valdez spill and our inability to remediate its damage

…? the current outcry against petroleum and global shipping? [or is it against high

gas prices]

…? have you given up your auto, yet

Worldwide Oil Spills

Figure 17.6

“People, when informed, generally favor environmental protection and public health progress over economic interests.” (p. 564)

2005—A Year for the

Record Books—Lessons Learned?

Did we learn any lesson? What lesson should be learned anyway?

? That hurricane incidence will increase with global warming

[2005 – 7 named hurricanes impacted NA; 2006 - ?; 2007 - ?; are we living a conundrum]

? That we should not live in storm-prone coastal areas?

[well, guess what?]

The Human Count and the Future- We frequently hear that the Earth is over populated

and that this over population is a root of our environmental and pollution problems.

--- Is the Earth really over populated?

--- Is it a problem of distribution and equity?

--- Is it a problem of consumption? [therefore inevitable]

I = PAT

Human Population Growth

Figure 17.4

The Need for International Cooperation

- Our world is systemic, it follows that its problems are bigger than the individual (or individual state) can correct

- Further, because problems cross international borders, all states are threatened

--- awakening of such thought processes emphasize internationalization of response to population

and environment… but, can it work

UN Commission on Women, Children, and Indigenous Peoples; CITES; Kyoto Protocol; Earth Summit 1 / 2;

UN High Commission of Refugees; etc

Twelve Paradigms for the 21st Century1. Population increase

is in LDCs2. I = P · A · T3. Feeding the world’s

population4. Disparities of wealth5. Status of women and

children6. Global climate

change

7. Energy supplies8. Loss of biodiversity9. Pollution of air and

water, oceans and land10. Persistence of

wilderness11. Globalization vs.

cultural diversity12. Conflict resolution

Who Speaks for Earth?

Figure 17.10