HLST 310 - Breaking Boundaries Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How many of the nine boundaries have we exceeded?

Which are the four boundaries that we clearly have already exceeded?

Climate, forest loss, nutrients, and biodiversity.

Why is it so dangerous that we have exceeded these four boundaries?

Because we are now crossing irreversible tipping points, and we are perilously close to tipping the Earth into a state that is untenable to support our own civilizations.

How do we see signs that we are in the danger zones?

Because we are in the deep high-risk zone on biodiversity loss; we start seeing droughts; impacts on the rainforest; forest fires in Australia and the Amazon; accelerated ice melt; and the collapse of coral reef systems. Signup and view all the answers

When do corals bleach?

Corals bleach when the waters around them get too warm. Signup and view all the answers

What do we observe about the events of coral bleaching?

Corals die very quickly. Bleaching events used to be localized and rare, but over the past two decades, marine heat waves have caused widespread bleaching. Signup and view all the answers

How many major bleaching events have occurred in the last five years?

3 of 5 were in the last 5 years. Signup and view all the answers

In percentage, how much of the Great Barrier Reef's coral have already died?

50% Signup and view all the answers

Why is it fatal if the coral bleaching events occur back-to-back every year?

Because gaps in the bleaching events are necessary for the corals to recover. Signup and view all the answers

What makes it likely that the corals will all die?

If we continue with our rate of carbon emissions, back-to-back bleaching events will continue to happen every summer. We have gone past the tipping point for coral bleaching. Signup and view all the answers

How many of Australia's most vulnerable birds, a species of cockatoos, were left on Kangaroo Island in South Australia after last year's fire season?

None. Signup and view all the answers

What were the reasons for the COVID-19 pandemic?

We are destroying our ecosystems; we are doing very aggressive agricultural practices; we are doing very aggressive deforestation; we live in very polluted cities with a very high population density. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'zoonotic' disease and how does it spread?

A zoonotic disease is caused by germs that spread between animals and humans. Signup and view all the answers

What is the best way to prevent zoonotic diseases from spreading?

We should not destroy the ecosystems where other species are able to live. When we weaken nature's resilience, then zoonotic diseases emerge and spread into the human population. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it no longer sufficient to do some economic growth here and then do some environmental impact reduction over there?

Now it is a question of framing the entire growth model around sustainability and have the planet guide everything we do. Signup and view all the answers

What should be our immediate priorities?

Reduce carbon emissions to zero and stabilize world temperatures as low as we possibly can. Signup and view all the answers

How many billion tons of carbon dioxide have we emitted since the beginning of the industrial revolution?

2,400 billion tons. Signup and view all the answers

To stay below 1.50 Celsius increase in temperature, what is the maximum of CO2 that we could still emit?

300 billion tons. Signup and view all the answers

If we emit 40 million tons per year, how many years does that leave us with?

7 years. Signup and view all the answers

How many billion tons of CO2 do we collectively emit today?

50 billion tons CO2. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most rapid - and still realistic - percentage by which we should cut our CO2 emissions every year?

By 6.7% would be the most rapid and feasible emission reduction. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of a rate of change would it be to reduce our CO2 emissions by 6.7% every year?

It would be an exponential rate of change. Signup and view all the answers

Why is getting down to zero CO2 emissions not enough?

We must also draw down the carbon that is already overheating the planet. Signup and view all the answers

What is an effective way to draw down the carbon emissions that are already in the air?

Plant more trees. A global effort to plant billions of trees could be one of the most cost-effective and achievable solutions to the climate crisis. Signup and view all the answers

What is planting trees one of the most effective transformations?

Planting more trees is vital to offset the carbon that we continue to emit. Trees prevent soil erosion. Without trees, there will be less rain. If we plant trees in the fields, the fertility of the fields will increase (and therefore, production). It will help to stabilize our climate, our freshwater, and benefit our food production. Signup and view all the answers

Aside from planting trees, which second transformation could we easily do that would let us stay within the planetary boundaries?

Change our diet so that it is more flexitarian. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Johan Rockström?

A Swedish scientist concerned with sustainability Signup and view all the answers

Who is David Attenborough?

An English broadcaster and naturalist Signup and view all the answers

What is Johan Rockström's main focus in his research?

To explain the critical state of life on planet Earth and quantify the boundaries and zones that endanger life. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Holocene?

A warm period over the last about 10,000 years that has kept the earth's climate stable at plus-minus one degree Celsius. Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about the stable plus/minus 1 degree temperature variation during the Holocene?

It allowed for stabilization of sea levels and predictability of seasons, making civilization possible. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the most important human practices that became possible during the Holocene?

Agriculture Signup and view all the answers

What did humans grow during the Holocene?

Rice, wheat, teff, maize, and sorghum. Signup and view all the answers

What three stable features did the Holocene conditions provide?

Food to eat, water to drink, and clean air to breathe. Signup and view all the answers

What does the name 'Anthropocene' indicate?

Humans are the primary drivers of change on planet Earth. Signup and view all the answers

What are some changes driven by humans on the planet?

Conversion of habitable land for agriculture, overfishing, and global warming. Signup and view all the answers

What is John Rockström's first planetary boundary?

Climate Change Signup and view all the answers

What are some effects of violating the planetary boundary of climate change?

Changes in the planet's ice cover, including glaciers shrinking. Signup and view all the answers

How does world temperature get affected when ice sheets melt?

Less ice reflects sunlight, increasing warming due to more heat absorption by dark surfaces. Signup and view all the answers

If all of the Greenland Ice Sheet melts, how much could world water levels rise?

About 7 meters Signup and view all the answers

If all of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet melts, how much could world water levels rise?

About 5 meters Signup and view all the answers

If all of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet melts, how much could world water levels rise?

About 50 meters Signup and view all the answers

What is a tipping point in sustainability discourse?

A critical moment where small changes can cause sudden and irreversible changes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary greenhouse gas that has been warming our climate?

CO2 Signup and view all the answers

How is CO2 measured in the atmosphere?

In parts per million (ppm) Signup and view all the answers

In what year did we pass the safe boundary zone (350 ppm) for CO2?

1988 Signup and view all the answers

What was the CO2 concentration in the movie Breaking Boundaries (2021)?

415ppm Signup and view all the answers

What is the high-risk zone for CO2 concentration in the atmosphere when tipping points become likely?

450ppm Signup and view all the answers

What are other planetary boundaries besides climate change?

Land configuration, biodiversity, the hydrological cycle, and nutrient injection. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first biosphere boundary concerned with?

Transformation of natural habitats, particularly in the Amazon. Signup and view all the answers

What alarm did scientist Carlos Nobre sound about the Amazon?

The Amazon is crucial for the planet's stability and faces irreversible changes from deforestation. Signup and view all the answers

What scientific experiment did Nobre conduct in 1998?

Building towers in the Amazon to study its climate-sustaining properties. Signup and view all the answers

As the Amazon forest is reduced, what is diminished?

The forest's ability to recycle water and generate rainfall in the dry season. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the Amazon dry season becomes longer than four months?

The jungle transforms to savanna due to tree die-off and deforestation. Signup and view all the answers

How much loss of the world's forest cover risks triggering catastrophic tipping points?

Losing 25% Signup and view all the answers

What is the second of the biosphere boundaries concerned with?

Loss of biodiversity, which is critical for human survival. Signup and view all the answers

What is one danger of losing biodiversity, like bees?

Inability to feed the planet due to loss of pollination. Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason for the drastic decline of insects?

The expansion of intensive monoculture. Signup and view all the answers

How much of the world's crop species rely on insect pollination?

About 70% Signup and view all the answers

Why do we need to protect biodiversity?

It's crucial for the functioning of societies and ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

How many of the birds on earth are still wild?

30% Signup and view all the answers

How much of the mammals on earth are still wild?

Only 4% by weight are still wild species. Signup and view all the answers

How deep into the danger zone are we regarding biodiversity?

Deep in the danger zone, needing immediate action to halt biodiversity loss. Signup and view all the answers

What is the third biosphere boundary concerning water?

Fresh water, essential for sustaining life and society. Signup and view all the answers

How much water do you need every day to stay alive?

Roughly 3,000 liters (3 tons) per person. Signup and view all the answers

What is the danger of extracting too much water from rivers?

Rivers are beginning to run dry. Signup and view all the answers

How far are we in the danger zone regarding fresh water?

We are rapidly moving toward the danger zone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fourth boundary of the biosphere concerned with?

The flow of nutrients, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about nutrients, nitrogen, and phosphorus?

They are essential components of all living things and key fertilizers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the problem with overuse of fertilizers?

They wash off into rivers and seas, killing fish. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the loss of fish in the Baltic Sea a deep concern?

It signals a gradual loss of resilience and health of ocean ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

How do we produce fertilizers?

We extract nitrogen from air and mine phosphorus. Signup and view all the answers

Why were fertilizers invaluable?

They helped feed a growing population. Signup and view all the answers

Why are fertilizers problematic?

Excess application leads to nutrient runoff and eutrophication. Signup and view all the answers

What are the effects of 'eutrophication'?

Algal blooms that degrade water quality and create dead zones. Signup and view all the answers

What may eutrophication in the ocean have contributed to in our planet's past?

Mass extinction events. Signup and view all the answers

How deep are we in the danger zone regarding the nutrient boundary?

Already deep into the danger zone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'little-known drama' playing out in the oceans?

Ocean Acidification. Signup and view all the answers

What is the problem when CO2 emissions end up in the ocean?

It creates carbonic acid, changing ocean pH levels. Signup and view all the answers

How much more acidic has the world's ocean become over the past decade?

26% Signup and view all the answers

What effects does ocean acidification have?

It threatens organisms needing carbonate to grow their skeletons. Signup and view all the answers

How much are we in the danger zone regarding ocean acidification?

Still in the safe zone, but approaching danger. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'novel entities' produced by humans that threaten planetary boundaries?

Nuclear waste, persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, and microplastics. Signup and view all the answers

What is one pollutant that already has a boundary of its own?

Aerosols Signup and view all the answers

Where does 75% of aerosol pollution come from?

Fossil fuel combustion Signup and view all the answers

How do we notice aerosol pollution?

As hazy skies due to sunlight interception. Signup and view all the answers

Why is cooling caused by aerosol pollution not a good thing?

It masks the full effects of greenhouse gases. Signup and view all the answers

How much of global warming are aerosol pollution particulates masking?

40% Signup and view all the answers

How many people does air pollution kill every year?

7.5 million people Signup and view all the answers

How much does life expectancy decrease due to air pollution?

By three years Signup and view all the answers

Have we crossed the planetary boundary regarding aerosols?

Yes, based on the number of deaths. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ninth planetary boundary?

The ozone layer Signup and view all the answers

Why does the ninth boundary have a unique distinction?

It is the only boundary where we are moving in the right direction. Signup and view all the answers

How is the ozone layer beneficial to us?

It intercepts harmful ultraviolet radiation. Signup and view all the answers

What causes the diminishing of the ozone layer?

Chemical pollutants like chlorine and bromine. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the repair of the ozone layer encouraging for our chances to improve life on the planet?

It indicates that humanity can take significant steps to protect the environment. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Johan Rockström

Swedish scientist focused on sustainability.
Co-directs Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.

David Attenborough

English broadcaster, naturalist, and prominent BBC figure.
Advocated for climate action at 2021 COP26 in Glasgow.

Holocene

A stable warm period lasting around 10,000 years.
Maintained Earth's climate within a temperature range of plus-minus one degree Celsius.
Enabled predictability in seasons, establishing conditions necessary for civilization.

Human Impact in the Holocene

Significant human practice during the Holocene: agriculture.
Domesticated crops include rice, wheat, teff, maize, and sorghum across various continents.

Anthropocene

Characterizes human-driven changes on Earth, marking the first geological epoch primarily created by humans.
Major transformations: conversion of half the world’s habitable land for crop and livestock, overfishing, atmospheric changes, and increased global temperature.

Planetary Boundaries

First planetary boundary defined by Rockström: Climate Change.
Effects of climate change boundary violations: shrinking glaciers and altered ecosystem dynamics.

Ice Melt and Sea Level Rise

Melting Greenland Ice Shield could raise sea levels by approximately 7 meters.
Loss of West Antarctic Ice Shield could contribute another 5 meters.
East Antarctic Ice Shield melting could result in a 50-meter rise.

Tipping Points

Tipping points signify critical moments where small changes can lead to irreversible impacts.
Examples include the potential cascade effect of various environmental stresses.

CO2 and Greenhouse Gases

Key greenhouse gas driving climate change: CO2.
Measured in parts per million (ppm); the safe upper limit is 350 ppm, breached in 1988.
Current levels at 415 ppm, rising risk of tipping points increases beyond 450 ppm.

Biosphere Boundaries

Four biosphere boundaries: Land configuration, Biodiversity, Hydrological cycle, Nutrient flow.
Concern over rapid habitat transformation and biodiversity loss; major tipping point near the Amazon rainforest.

Amazon Rainforest

Important for global stability; ongoing deforestation threatens to push ecosystems towards irreversible change.
Significant drying trend observed due to increased dry seasons and deforestation practices.

Biodiversity Crisis

Nature degradation at unprecedented scales; 68% global wildlife loss in 50 years.
Critical species such as bees are essential for food production; insect pollination is vital for 70% of crop species.

Freshwater Dependency

Lifesaving requirement of roughly 3,000 liters of freshwater per person daily.
Danger of over-extraction from freshwater sources could lead to river depletion.

Nutrient Flow Boundaries

Essential for life: nitrogen and phosphorus. Their overuse in fertilizers leads to aquatic eutrophication, causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
Current nutrient boundary is dangerously exceeded, risking mass extinction due to past eutrophication events.

Ocean Acidification

Approximately one-third of emitted CO2 dissolves in oceans, increasing acidity by 26% in recent decades.
Affects marine organisms, particularly those reliant on carbonate for skeletal structures.

Aerosol Pollution

Comprises 75% of pollution from fossil fuel combustion.
Causes global dimming and masks 40% of global warming, contributing to health issues leading to 7.5 million annual deaths.

Ozone Layer

Only planetary boundary improving due to global action against ozone-depleting chemicals.
Protects against harmful UV radiation that can damage DNA, crucial for reducing skin cancer risks.

Exceeded Boundaries

Four boundaries already exceeded: climate change, deforestation, nutrient overuse, and biodiversity loss.
Exceeding these threatens irreversible tipping points, endangering human civilization.

Coral Bleaching

Rising sea temperatures lead to widespread coral bleaching events, with 50% of the Great Barrier Reef's coral already lost.
Frequent bleaching events inhibit coral recovery, threatening marine ecosystems.### Coral Bleaching
Continued high carbon emissions lead to annual coral bleaching events.
Coral ecosystems have surpassed the tipping point for survival.

Bird Species Decline

Following the fire season, no vulnerable cockatoo species remain on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

COVID-19 Pandemic Causes

Ecosystem destruction, aggressive agricultural practices, and deforestation contributed to the pandemic.
Urban areas with high population density and pollution are also significant factors.

Zoonotic Diseases

Zoonotic diseases are transmitted between animals and humans by germs.

Prevention of Zoonotic Diseases

Protecting ecosystems is crucial for preventing the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases.

Sustainable Growth Model

Economic growth must be framed around sustainability, integrating environmental considerations into all development activities.

Immediate Climate Priorities

Urgent focus on reducing carbon emissions to zero and stabilizing global temperatures.

Historical Carbon Emissions

Since the industrial revolution, 2,400 billion tons of carbon dioxide have been emitted.

CO2 Emission Ceiling

To limit global temperature rise to below 1.5°C, a maximum of 300 billion tons of CO2 can still be emitted.

Future Emission Projections

At a rate of 40 million tons of CO2 emissions per year, only 7 years of emissions are possible under current circumstances.

Current CO2 Emissions

Presently, the world emits 50 billion tons of CO2 annually.

Emission Reduction Targets

A 6.7% yearly reduction in CO2 emissions is deemed rapid yet achievable.

Rate of Change for Emission Cuts

Reducing emissions by 6.7% each year represents exponential change in emission reduction.

Importance of Negative Emissions

Achieving net zero CO2 emissions is insufficient; it is essential to also remove existing atmospheric carbon.

Carbon Drawdown Strategies

Planting trees is identified as a cost-effective and practical approach to sequester atmospheric carbon.

Benefits of Tree Planting

Planting trees helps offset ongoing carbon emissions, prevent soil erosion, increase rainfall, enhance soil fertility, and stabilize climate and food production.

Dietary Changes

A shift to a more flexitarian diet is another easily implementable transformation to help remain within planetary boundaries.

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Test your knowledge on influential figures in sustainability with these flashcards from HLST 310. The quiz covers notable contributions by Johan Rockström and David Attenborough, highlighting their impact on climate discussions and research. Perfect for students seeking to enhance their understanding of environmental issues.