Modern technology owes ecology an apology!

Dear Friends, that's quite a cool environmental slogan, isn't it? Apologies if it didn't excite you too much, but I'm simply trying to make a point. Yes, here I go, ranting about the impact that our actions are having on the planet. To be honest, I'm not really qualified to rant at you, because that would be a)rather hypocritical and b)not very useful in the long-run. So, I've decided to approach it another way. I am going to educate myself, alongside you, about the dangers that the planet is facing. Therefore this way, I can see where I should improve my lifestyle and you can rethink certain aspects of your lifestyle as well. Sound like a good plan? I think so.

So, what is it that we already know about the planet?
We know that it's resources are rapidly dwindling due to over-consumption. We know that the world population is increasing at an uncontrollable rate, putting even more pressure on the weakening supply and demand system. We know that the commercialisation and industrialisation of countries around the world is a contributory factor to various levels of environmental degradation (i.e. air pollution and soil contamination). We appreciate that the world is experiencing the effects of climate change and its partner in crime... global warming. We also agree that deforestation and forest degradation are resulting in increased emissions of carbon dioxide, enhancing the greenhouse effects. The further results of which can lead to global warming. We are learning all too soon, that deforestation comes at a heavy price and that an increase in deforestation is inversely proportional to the level of biodiversity within this particular ecosystem. What else do we know? I suppose the list goes on and on... It's rather pessimistic, but it's important for us to understand that the burden we are putting on the earth is far too heavy.



So, what don't we know about the ever-changing planet? (I apologise to those readers who are already aware of the things that I am about to say...)

• We can't definitively say by how much Earth will warm over the coming years... unless, we know how much more greenhouse gases will end up in the atmosphere. Unfortunately, the biggest uncertainty is human... as it always is. Hypothetically speaking, if we were to completely cut our carbon dioxide emissions tomorrow, the current atmospheric levels won't exceed 400 parts per million. Sadly, the probability of such a drastic change is practically impossible. A huge part of the problem is that the biggest emitters, China and the USA (sorry to name and shame) aren't adequately partaking in global attempts to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. But, even the countries that have made a promise are undermining the progress they've made by building new coal-fired power stations. What is the sense in that? Despite the effort of many organisations, the current 'emission trajectory' is close to the worst-case scenario depicted by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). So, by 2100, we should look forward to carbon dioxide levels reaching approximately 1000ppm.