Posted on 04/07/2005 7:48:48 PM PDT by lafroste
Humanity is heading for ecological disaster if instead of foreseeing and preventing environmental degradation we just react to it. This is the conclusion of a United Nations report compiled by 1300 leading scientists from 95 countries.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis Report previews the ecological state of the world in 2050. It lists 24 essential "ecosystem services," such as timber, clean air, and fresh water, and finds that 60% of them are being degraded or used unsustainably.
This degradation obstructs the UN Millennium Development Goals, set in 2000, the most ambitious of which was a halving of the world's population existing on less than a $1 (£0.53; {euro}0.78) a day or threatened by hunger or lack of clean water. Among the gravest threats to the environment are excessive "nutrient loading" from agricultural fertilisers and the progressive disappearance of biodiversity. The extinction rate of species is already a thousand times higher than the average rate shown by the fossil record and is set to increase 10-fold in the next 50 years.
"Humans are fundamentally and to a significant extent irreversibly changing the diversity of life on earth," says the report, noting that this could harm pharmaceutical research and development.
The scientists warn of possible "accelerating, abrupt, and potentially irreversible changes." These include the collapse of fish stocks, such as North Sea cod; rapid growth of marine algae, creating oxygen depleted dead zones in the sea; and emergence of disease.
In Africa, growing pressure on water supplies combined with regional climate change has the potential to greatly enlarge the areas in which cholera is a threat. The range of malaria bearing mosquitoes is also likely to increase.
The release of carbon into the atmosphere and the leaching of nitrogen based fertilisers into water pose serious risks for chronic disease, the report finds. Increases in ultraviolet B radiation, ozone and other air pollution, and pollen production are also predicted.
The report gives four sets of predictions for 2050, based on the approach currently adopted to counter ecosystem degradation. "The scenario we are closest to now is the one we call order from strength," said Dr Reid. This describes a world in which international cooperation is lacking, economic competition is fierce, and environmental threats are faced only after they emerge. This is likely to deliver the fastest population growth, the lowest economic growth, and the most environmental damage of the four scenarios, he said.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis Report is available at www.millenniumassessment.org//en/Products.Synthesis.aspx.
Are there any knowledgeable freepers available to verify or condemn the above "fact". It smells like BS to me but I am not well informed on this subject.
1300 leading scientists believe that?
Agreed. Will somebody please name the 1300 "leading scientists" and provide their credentials and political leanings?
Are we doomed yet?
Are we doomed yet?
Are we doomed yet?
Are we doomed yet?
Are we doomed yet?
Are we doomed yet?
Are we doomed yet?
Are we doomed yet?
Are we doomed yet?
Are we doomed yet?
[I know, I know...and "stop kicking the back of the seat"].....;)
In 50 years, most of us won't be here to check the prediction out.
You know, if things are truly as bad as they say then lets just chuck every conservation effort out and party like its 1999.
Nott to worry. judge Greer and his fellow travelers have started a
program designed to escalate and halve the population within the next fifty years.
vaudine
In other news, "The Sky is Falling"
Mathulsian Alert!!!
It looks like the program is in effect in other cases. (Sadly).
I am not going to worry. I have just been assured on another thread that we are all going to die of the flu in the next few years.
Bingo.
Malthusian Theory has been prove wrong, how many times???
..More than a fake preacher on the corner trying to sell snake oil and false prognostications for some short, hot cash.
People, they said this in the '70s, 80's and '90's , are they waiting for us all to die? what!!!!! I'm sick of hearing this.....
Again?
That is all I need to know about the subject.
I'm selling all my shares of "Chicken of the Sea."
If we are lucky enough to survive the Bush presidency.
...thanks for the word.
I'll cancel my subscriptions and notify the landlord that I'll be vacating.
You are doing a GREAT public service.
Don't worry about any of it. Predictions for bird flu say our numbers will be reduced by billions.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.