Four global-scale forces are interacting to change the nature of the world as we know it: greenhouse gas concentrations, consumption, extinction, human population
Greenhouse gases
Sources
Outcomes
Solutions
Consumption
Drivers
Outcomes
Solutions
Per-capita consumption is increasing in U.S.
Positive discount rate (i.e., interest rate) ensures that everything is valued less at a later date than it is valued today, in economic terms
Social classes: about 1 billion of the world's 6 billion people survive on less than $1/day
Human desires and marketing lead to a global-scale tragedy of the commons
Extinction
Drivers
Outcomes
Solutions
Sixth great extinction on earth
Ecological footprint
Homogenization of species composition, cultures, languages as we lose the uncommon ones of each
Ecosystem services: clean air, clean water
Human population
Drivers
Outcomes
Solutions
Nearly four billion years of life driven by procreation
The role of denial
Developing a planetary ethic
Accounting for the links between environmental protection, social justice, and the human economy
Living "as if"
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Hardin, G. 1993. Living Within Limits: Ecology, Economics, and Population Taboos. Oxford University Press, Oxford, England.
Henry, J. 1963. Culture Against Man. Random House, New York.
Wilson, E.O. 1998. Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge. Knopf, New York.