Man and the environment sum
Anthropocene = current geological epoch, humans influence everything, more than sun or whatever
Holocene = previous time, very stable which made life for humans possible
Tipping point = tip over more tipping points cause all connected
Inducing tipping points will lead to an exponential response of earth
Planetary boundaries = the safe operating space that allows earth to remain Holocene-like state
Framework gives range with the tipping point inside: lower part is safe (planetary boundary =
safe operating space), higher part is unsafe
boundaries for:
1. Climate change
2. Biosphere integrity
a. Genetic diversity
b. Functional diversity
3. Land-system change
4. Freshwater use
5. Biogeochemical flows
a. Phosphorus
b. Nitrogen
6. Ocean acidification
7. Atmospheric aerosol loading
8. Stratospheric ozone depletion
9. Novel entities
Climate change and biosphere integrity are core boundaries: most important to keep earth stable
Paris agreement: 2 degrees warming since industrial revolution -> still too warm: will tip over tipping
points
, W1 plastic pollution
Marine debris = object that ends up in sea that is solid and originates from humans
Impacts of marine litter:
Dispersal and food chain accumulation of chemicals
Ingestion
Habitat destruction
Introduction and dispersal of invasive species
Entanglement and entrapment -> suffocation
Leaving fishing gear -> abandoned lost or discarded fishing gear = ALDFG -> ghost fishing
Ghost fishing = still catching/injuring ocean life with ALDFG
W2 climate change
Climate change = warming of the planet due to greenhouse gas accumulation in atmosphere
95% chance that humans are biggest driver
Since 50ies:
Increase in global temperature
Less ice and snow
More greenhouse gasses
o More CO2 in atmosphere/water surface
o Lower pH in oceans = ocean acidification
Greenhouse gasses = GHG = CO2, CH4, N2O, water vapour
Increase in greenhouse gasses -> into ocean -> acidification -> ocean full
More greenhouse gasses -> heat can’t leave earth -> hot
At some point temp won’t rise anymore: new equilibrium
More aerosols -> reflects incoming radiation -> cooler (uncertain)
In NL specifically: 2x faster than global average
More rain
Higher temp
Rising sea level
More heatwaves/extreme weather
Temp:
warmer in winter: wind from west (sea)
warmer in summer: more radiation
higher humidity: warmer air can carry more water
Anthropocene = current geological epoch, humans influence everything, more than sun or whatever
Holocene = previous time, very stable which made life for humans possible
Tipping point = tip over more tipping points cause all connected
Inducing tipping points will lead to an exponential response of earth
Planetary boundaries = the safe operating space that allows earth to remain Holocene-like state
Framework gives range with the tipping point inside: lower part is safe (planetary boundary =
safe operating space), higher part is unsafe
boundaries for:
1. Climate change
2. Biosphere integrity
a. Genetic diversity
b. Functional diversity
3. Land-system change
4. Freshwater use
5. Biogeochemical flows
a. Phosphorus
b. Nitrogen
6. Ocean acidification
7. Atmospheric aerosol loading
8. Stratospheric ozone depletion
9. Novel entities
Climate change and biosphere integrity are core boundaries: most important to keep earth stable
Paris agreement: 2 degrees warming since industrial revolution -> still too warm: will tip over tipping
points
, W1 plastic pollution
Marine debris = object that ends up in sea that is solid and originates from humans
Impacts of marine litter:
Dispersal and food chain accumulation of chemicals
Ingestion
Habitat destruction
Introduction and dispersal of invasive species
Entanglement and entrapment -> suffocation
Leaving fishing gear -> abandoned lost or discarded fishing gear = ALDFG -> ghost fishing
Ghost fishing = still catching/injuring ocean life with ALDFG
W2 climate change
Climate change = warming of the planet due to greenhouse gas accumulation in atmosphere
95% chance that humans are biggest driver
Since 50ies:
Increase in global temperature
Less ice and snow
More greenhouse gasses
o More CO2 in atmosphere/water surface
o Lower pH in oceans = ocean acidification
Greenhouse gasses = GHG = CO2, CH4, N2O, water vapour
Increase in greenhouse gasses -> into ocean -> acidification -> ocean full
More greenhouse gasses -> heat can’t leave earth -> hot
At some point temp won’t rise anymore: new equilibrium
More aerosols -> reflects incoming radiation -> cooler (uncertain)
In NL specifically: 2x faster than global average
More rain
Higher temp
Rising sea level
More heatwaves/extreme weather
Temp:
warmer in winter: wind from west (sea)
warmer in summer: more radiation
higher humidity: warmer air can carry more water
