Global Commons in the Anthropocene: World Development on a Stable and Resilient Planet
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Impacts of Technology on U.S. Cropland and Rangeland Productivity Advisory Panel
l-'" of nc/:\!IOIOO _.. _ ... u"' "'"'" ... _ -'-- Impacts of Technology on U.S. Cropland w, in'... ' .....7 and Rangeland Productivity August 1982 NTIS order #PB83-125013 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 82-600596 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 Foreword This Nation’s impressive agricultural success is the product of many factors: abundant resources of land and water, a favorable climate, and a history of resource- ful farmers and technological innovation, We meet not only our own needs but supply a substantial portion of the agricultural products used elsewhere in the world. As demand increases, so must agricultural productivity, Part of the necessary growth may come from farming additional acreage. But most of the increase will depend on intensifying production with improved agricultural technologies. The question is, however, whether farmland and rangeland resources can sustain such inten- sive use. Land is a renewable resource, though one that is highly susceptible to degrada- tion by erosion, salinization, compaction, ground water depletion, and other proc- esses. When such processes are not adequately managed, land productivity can be mined like a nonrenewable resource. But this need not occur. For most agricul- tural land, various conservation options are available, Traditionally, however, farm- ers and ranchers have viewed many of the conservation technologies as uneconom- ical. Must conservation and production always be opposed, or can technology be used to help meet both goals? This report describes the major processes degrading land productivity, assesses whether productivity is sustainable using current agricultural technologies, reviews a range of new technologies with potentials to maintain productivity and profitability simultaneously, and presents a series of options for congressional consideration. -
Sustainability, Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility ISO Definitions and Terminology
Sustainability, sustainable development and social responsibility ISO definitions and terminology International Organization for Standardization ISO in brief ISO is the International Organization for Standardization. ISO has a membership of 163 national standards bodies from countries large and small, industrialized, developing and in transition, in all regions of the world. ISO’s portfolio of over 19 100 standards provides business, government and society with practical tools for all three dimensions of sustainable development : economic, environmental and social. The achievement of sustainability is now recognized as the most ISO standards make a positive contribution to the world we live fundamental requirement in every human endeavour and activity. Our in. They facilitate trade, spread knowledge, disseminate innovative failure to effectively address sustainability has led to a deterioration advances in technology, and share good management and conformity in our environmental, social and economic well being. Sustainability assessment practices. refers to the state of the global system in which the needs of the ISO standards provide solutions and achieve benefits for almost present are met without compromising the ability of future genera- all sectors of activity, including agriculture, construction, mechani- tions to meet their own needs and is continually evolving. Achieving cal engineering, manufacturing, distribution, transport, healthcare, a balance between environmental, social and economic systems is information and communication technologies, the environment, energy, considered essential for achieving sustainability. safety and security, quality management, and services. The notion of sustainable development is based on the Rio ISO only develops standards for which there is a clear market Declaration and it encompasses the concepts of intergenerational requirement. -
The Realized Benefits from Bioprospecting in the Wake of the Convention on Biological Diversity
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Washington University St. Louis: Open Scholarship Washington University Journal of Law & Policy Volume 47 Intellectual Property: From Biodiversity to Technical Standards 2015 The Realized Benefits from Bioprospecting in the Wake of the Convention on Biological Diversity James S. Miller Missouri Botanical Garden Follow this and additional works at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_journal_law_policy Part of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Environmental Law Commons, and the Plant Sciences Commons Recommended Citation James S. Miller, The Realized Benefits from Bioprospecting in the Wake of the Convention on Biological Diversity, 47 WASH. U. J. L. & POL’Y 051 (2015), https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_journal_law_policy/vol47/iss1/10 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law School at Washington University Open Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Washington University Journal of Law & Policy by an authorized administrator of Washington University Open Scholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Realized Benefits from Bioprospecting in the Wake of the Convention on Biological Diversity James S. Miller MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN In the mid-1980s, the convergence of several technological advances led to a serious resurgence of interest in surveying plant species for drug development. The emergence of methods to miniaturize in-vitro bioassays (a test used to quantify the biological effect of a chemical compound or extract against a specific disease target) run the bioassays with robotic equipment, and isolate and identify active compounds with a speed and precision never before possible. -
Land-Use, Land-Cover Changes and Biodiversity Loss - Helena Freitas
LAND USE, LAND COVER AND SOIL SCIENCES – Vol. I - Land-Use, Land-Cover Changes and Biodiversity Loss - Helena Freitas LAND-USE, LAND-COVER CHANGES AND BIODIVERSITY LOSS Helena Freitas University of Coimbra, Portugal Keywords: land use; habitat fragmentation; biodiversity loss Contents 1. Introduction 2. Primary Causes of Biodiversity Loss 2.1. Habitat Degradation and Destruction 2.2. Habitat Fragmentation 2.3. Global Climate Change 3. Strategies for Biodiversity Conservation 3.1. General 3.2. The European Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 4. Conclusions Glossary Bibliography Biographical Sketch Summary During Earth's history, species extinction has probably been caused by modifications of the physical environment after impacts such as meteorites or volcanic activity. On the contrary, the actual extinction of species is mainly a result of human activities, namely any form of land use that causes the conversion of vast areas to settlement, agriculture, and forestry, resulting in habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation, which are among the most important causes of species decline and extinction. The loss of biodiversity is unique among the major anthropogenic changes because it is irreversible. The importance of preserving biodiversity has increased in recent times. The global recognition of the alarming loss of biodiversity and the acceptance of its value resultedUNESCO in the Convention on Biologi – calEOLSS Diversity. In addition, in Europe, the challenge is also the implementation of the European strategy for biodiversity conservation and agricultural policies, though it is increasingly recognized that the strategy is limitedSAMPLE by a lack of basic ecological CHAPTERS information and indicators available to decision makers and end users. We have reached a point where we can save biodiversity only by saving the biosphere. -
Rangeland Resources Management Muhammad Ismail, Rohullah Yaqini, Yan Zhaoli, Andrew Billingsley
Managing Natural Resources Rangeland Resources Management Muhammad Ismail, Rohullah Yaqini, Yan Zhaoli, Andrew Billingsley Rangelands are areas which, by reason of physical limitations, low and erratic precipitation, rough topography, poor drainage, or extreme temperature, are less suitable for cultivation but are sources of food for free ranging wild and domestic animals, and of water, wood, and mineral products. Rangelands are generally managed as natural ecosystems that make them distinct from pastures for commercial livestock husbandry with irrigation and fertilisation facilities. Rangeland management is the science and art of optimising returns or benefits from rangelands through the manipulation of rangeland ecosystems. There has been increasing recognition worldwide of rangeland functions and various ecosystem services they provide in recent decades. However, livestock farming is still one of the most important uses of rangelands and will remain so in the foreseeable future. Rangeland Resources and Use Patterns in Afghanistan Afghanistan’s rangelands are specified as land where the predominant vegetation consists of grasses, herbs, shrubs, and may include areas with low-growing trees such as juniper, pistachio, and oak. The term ‘rangeland resources’ refers to biological resources within a specific rangeland and associated ecosystems, including vegetation, wildlife, open forests (canopy coverage less than 30%), non- biological products such as soil and minerals. Today, rangelands comprise between 60-75% of Afghanistan’s total territory, depending on the source of information. Rangelands are crucial in supplying Afghanistan with livestock products, fuel, building materials, medicinal plants, and providing habitat for wildlife. The water resources captured and regulated in Afghan rangelands are the lifeblood of the country and nourishes nearly 4 million ha of irrigated lands. -
Understanding Bioprospecting: Can Indigenous Populations Benefit from the Search for Pharmaceuticals in Areas of High Biodiversity
University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Environmental Studies Undergraduate Student Theses Environmental Studies Program Spring 5-2011 Understanding Bioprospecting: Can Indigenous Populations Benefit from the Search for Pharmaceuticals in Areas of High Biodiversity Emily Schwindt University of Nebraska-Lincoln Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/envstudtheses Part of the Agricultural and Resource Economics Commons, Biological and Physical Anthropology Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Ethnic Studies Commons, Natural Resource Economics Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, Other Environmental Sciences Commons, Place and Environment Commons, and the Sustainability Commons Disclaimer: The following thesis was produced in the Environmental Studies Program as a student senior capstone project. Schwindt, Emily, "Understanding Bioprospecting: Can Indigenous Populations Benefit from the Search for Pharmaceuticals in Areas of High Biodiversity" (2011). Environmental Studies Undergraduate Student Theses. 46. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/envstudtheses/46 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Environmental Studies Program at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Environmental Studies Undergraduate Student Theses by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. UNDERSTANDING BIOPROSPECTING: -
The Anthropocene: Acknowledging the Extent of Global Resource Overshoot , and What We Must Do About It
Research, education, and policy guidance for a better global future. The Anthropocene: Acknowledging the extent of global resource overshoot , and what we must do about it. Research, education, and policy guidance for a better global future. Understanding the balance between human needs and environmental resources Research, education, and policy guidance for a better global future. The Anthropocene Story 3 minute video Reflections on the Anthropocene Story “ … we must find a safe operating space for humanity” “... we must understand resource limits and size ourselves to operate within planetary boundaries” Reflections on the Anthropocene Story “…our creativity, energy, and industry offer hope” Empty words Cognitive and behavioral paradigm shifts would offer ‘guarded’ optimism for the future. A preview of this afternoon’s discussion: 1. Realistic meta-level picture of humanity’s relationship with the planet 2. Talk about that relationship and the conceptual meaning of sustainability 3. Discuss the need for ‘transformative’ change and one approach to achieving future sustainability The Problem Climate change is not the problem. Water shortages, overgrazing, erosion, desertification and the rapid extinction of species are not the problem. Deforestation, Deforestation, reduced cropland productivity, Deforestation, reduced cropland productivity, and the collapse of fisheries are not the problem. Each of these crises, though alarming, is a symptom of a single, over-riding issue. Humanity is simply demanding more than the earth can provide. Climate change Witnessing dysfunctional human behavior Deforestation Desertification Collapse of fisheries Rapid extinction of species Supply = 1 Earth Today’s reality: Global Resource Overshoot How do we know we are - living beyond our resource means? - exceeding global capacity? - experiencing resource overshoot? • Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Released in 2005, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment was a four-year global effort involving more than 1,300 experts that assessed the condition of and trends in the world’s ecosystems. -
“Anthropocene” Epoch: Scientific Decision Or Political Statement?
The “Anthropocene” epoch: Scientific decision or political statement? Stanley C. Finney*, Dept. of Geological Sciences, California Official recognition of the concept would invite State University at Long Beach, Long Beach, California 90277, cross-disciplinary science. And it would encourage a mindset USA; and Lucy E. Edwards**, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, that will be important not only to fully understand the Virginia 20192, USA transformation now occurring but to take action to control it. … Humans may yet ensure that these early years of the ABSTRACT Anthropocene are a geological glitch and not just a prelude The proposal for the “Anthropocene” epoch as a formal unit of to a far more severe disruption. But the first step is to recognize, the geologic time scale has received extensive attention in scien- as the term Anthropocene invites us to do, that we are tific and public media. However, most articles on the in the driver’s seat. (Nature, 2011, p. 254) Anthropocene misrepresent the nature of the units of the International Chronostratigraphic Chart, which is produced by That editorial, as with most articles on the Anthropocene, did the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) and serves as not consider the mission of the International Commission on the basis for the geologic time scale. The stratigraphic record of Stratigraphy (ICS), nor did it present an understanding of the the Anthropocene is minimal, especially with its recently nature of the units of the International Chronostratigraphic Chart proposed beginning in 1945; it is that of a human lifespan, and on which the units of the geologic time scale are based. -
Golden Spikes, Transitions, Boundary Objects, and Anthropogenic Seascapes
sustainability Article A Meaningful Anthropocene?: Golden Spikes, Transitions, Boundary Objects, and Anthropogenic Seascapes Todd J. Braje * and Matthew Lauer Department of Anthropology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 27 June 2020; Accepted: 7 August 2020; Published: 11 August 2020 Abstract: As the number of academic manuscripts explicitly referencing the Anthropocene increases, a theme that seems to tie them all together is the general lack of continuity on how we should define the Anthropocene. In an attempt to formalize the concept, the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) is working to identify, in the stratigraphic record, a Global Stratigraphic Section and Point (GSSP) or golden spike for a mid-twentieth century Anthropocene starting point. Rather than clarifying our understanding of the Anthropocene, we argue that the AWG’s effort to provide an authoritative definition undermines the original intent of the concept, as a call-to-arms for future sustainable management of local, regional, and global environments, and weakens the concept’s capacity to fundamentally reconfigure the established boundaries between the social and natural sciences. To sustain the creative and productive power of the Anthropocene concept, we argue that it is best understood as a “boundary object,” where it can be adaptable enough to incorporate multiple viewpoints, but robust enough to be meaningful within different disciplines. Here, we provide two examples from our work on the deep history of anthropogenic seascapes, which demonstrate the power of the Anthropocene to stimulate new thinking about the entanglement of humans and non-humans, and for building interdisciplinary solutions to modern environmental issues. -
Renewable Energy Resorces for Climate Change Mitigation
Raghuvanshi et al.: Renewable energy resources for climate change mitigation - 15 - RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION S.P. RAGHUVANSHI * – A.K. RAGHAV – A. CHANDRA Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India. (phone : +91-11-26591227) *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] (Received 13rd November 2006 ; accepted 4 th July 2007) Abstract. Climate change has been identified as one of the greatest challenge by all the nations, government, business and citizens of the globe. The threats of climate change on our green planet ‘Earth’ demands that renewable energy share in the total energy generation and consumption should be substantially increased as a matter of urgency. India’s energy development programme has been put under severe pressure with the ever-increasing demand supply gap. Due to predominance of fossil fuels in the generation mix, there are large negative environmental externalities caused by electricity generation. So it has become imperative to develop and promote alternative energy sources that can lead to sustainability of energy and environment system. Renewable electricity has become synonymous with CO2 reduction. Present communication provides a brief description about such alternative and sustained energy sources, i.e., renewable energy resources, their potential and achievements in India. Also role as important tool for climate change mitigation . Keywords: Renewable energy, GHGs, Climate change, Carbon dioxide, mitigation Introduction Climate change has implications for both human and natural systems and could lead to significant changes in resource use production and economic activity. In response to the impact and possible affects of climate change international, regional, national and local initiatives are being developed and implemented to limit and mitigate GHGs concentration in the Earth’s atmosphere. -
National Policies and the Role of Communities, Cities and Regions
CLIMATE CHANGE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY NATIONAL POLICIES AND THE ROLE OF COMMUNITIES, CITIES AND REGIONS A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to the G20 Climate Sustainability Working Group (CSWG) JUNE 2019 © IRENA 2019 Unless otherwise stated, material in this publication may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given to IRENA as the source and copyright holder. Material in this publication that is attributed to third parties may be subject to separate terms of use and restrictions, and appropriate permissions from these third parties may need to be secured before any use of such material. ISBN: 978-92-9260-136-2 Citation: IRENA (2019), Climate Change and Renewable Energy: National policies and the role of communities, cities and regions (Report to the G20 Climate Sustainability Working Group (CSWG)), International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi. About IRENA The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future and serves as the principal platform for international co-operation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind energy, in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity. www.irena.org Acknowledgements G20 Climate Sustainability Working Group members provided valuable comments and suggestions on this study. The report was prepared by Elisa Asmelash and Ricardo Gorini. -
Powering a Sustainable and Circular Economy— an Engineering Approach to Estimating Renewable Energy Potentials Within Earth System Boundaries
energies Article Powering a Sustainable and Circular Economy— An Engineering Approach to Estimating Renewable Energy Potentials within Earth System Boundaries Harald Desing * , Rolf Widmer , Didier Beloin-Saint-Pierre and Roland Hischier and Patrick Wäger Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, CH-9014 St.Gallen, Switzerland; [email protected] (R.W.); [email protected] (D.B.-S.-P.); [email protected] (R.H.); [email protected] (P.W.) * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 30 October 2019; Accepted: 4 December 2019; Published: 11 December 2019 Abstract: This study proposes a method to estimate the appropriability of renewable energy resources at the global scale, when Earth system boundaries/needs and the human demand for chemical energy are respected. The method is based on an engineering approach, i.e., uncertainties of parameters and models are considered and potentials calculated with 99% confidence. We used literature data to test our method and provide initial results for global appropriable technical potentials (ATP) that sum up to 71 TW, which is significantly larger than the current global energy demand. Consequently, there is sufficient renewable energy potentially available to increase energy access for a growing world population as well as for a development towards increasingly closed material cycles within the technosphere. Solar energy collected on the built environment (29%) and in desert areas (69%) represent the dominant part of this potential, followed in great distance by hydro (0.6%), terrestrial heat (0.4%), wind (0.35%), and biomass (0.2%). Furthermore, we propose indicators to evaluate an energy mix on different levels, from an energy mix in single products to the mix used by the global economy, against the estimated RE potentials, which allow an evaluation and consideration in the design of sustainable–circular products and systems.