The Anthropocene Era:

• The Anthropocene era or the age of man is the new era since the Industrial Revolution, showing the enduring impact of recent human activity on the planet.

• Multiple environmental changes generated by human actions include:

  • Entire species extinctions, carbon dioxide emissions, climate change, groundwater depletion, and the growth of concrete and plastics.

Transformation of the Landscape:

• The doubling of cropland and pasturelands during the twentieth century reflects the growing human impact on land use. (Note, over 40% of habitable landmass is now for agriculture)

  • Deforestation, particularly in tropical regions like the Amazon rainforest, has reduced habitats for wild plants and animals, leading to biodiversity loss.

• Urbanization has transformed landscapes into artificial environments, with cities like China experiencing significant ecosystem loss to urban and agricultural growth.

Loss of Biodiversity:

• Extinction rates spiked due to agriculture, lumbering, and urban expansion, particularly in sensitive habitats like tropical rainforests, threatening biodiversity.

• Industrial fishing has threatened marine biodiversity.

Environmental Pollution and Degradation:

• Modern industry, reliant on fossil fuels, has contributed to air, water, and soil pollution, with notable examples in China's air pollution and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

• Industrial activities in the Soviet Union severely polluted rivers and led to ecological disasters in certain regions.

• Chemical pollutants like chlorofluorocarbons have depleted the ozone layer, with international agreements curbing their use.

  • Urban pollution from auto exhausts, coal burning, and dust has created awful conditions in Beijing, China.

Long-lasting Environmental Impacts:

• Radioactive residue from nuclear weapons testing and waste storage persists for tens or hundreds of thousands of years.

• Mining activities have scarred landscapes with underground networks of shafts and tunnels, as well as open pit mines.

• Depletion of aquifers due to increasing water demand has caused subsidence in cities like Beijing and Jakarta.

Climate Change:

Environmental Impact of Global Warming:

• Rising temperatures attributed to global warming are leading to the accelerated melting of glaciers and polar ice caps.

  • Increasing temperatures are causing significant ice melt and subsequently raising sea levels.

• Coastal communities worldwide are increasingly vulnerable to storm surges due to sea level rise.

  • Developing nations in Oceania, such as Tuvalu and Kiribati, are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, facing the threat of displacement.

  • Low-lying regions like Bangladesh and the Philippines are experiencing more frequent and severe flooding during powerful storms, exacerbating existing challenges.

Impact on Agriculture and Food Security:

• Global warming is leading to more extreme weather conditions, including droughts, in various regions.

  • Extreme weather conditions have affected grain-producing regions worldwide, leading to spikes in grain prices.

    • Since the 1970s, droughts have become longer and more severe in parts of Africa, the Middle East, southern Asia, and the western United States.

• Rising food prices, exacerbated by climate-related events, have contributed to social unrest, as seen during the Arab Spring protests in the Middle East and North Africa.

  • Africa is facing crop failures, livestock devastation, and conflicts over land and water resources due to surging populations and climate change.

Ecosystem Disruption:

• Climate change is disrupting aquatic ecosystems, with oceans and lakes becoming warmer and more acidic due to carbon dioxide absorption.

  • Increased acidity has harmed marine organisms with calcium shells, threatening aquatic food chains.

• Coral reefs, particularly vulnerable to high oceanic temperatures, have experienced significant damage, such as the 2016 bleaching event in Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

  • Land-based communities of organisms are also affected, with drier conditions leading to more frequent forest fires and forcing species to migrate or face extinction.

    • Examples - the spread of malaria-bearing mosquitoes to higher elevations in Ethiopia and bark beetle infestations in western North America due to warmer temperatures.

The Rise of Environmentalism

Early Environmental Awareness:

• Deforestation, drought, and desertification were early environmental issues, particularly noticeable in the United States and Germany due to settlement and industrial activities.

  • Preservation of wilderness areas gained attention, evidenced by the establishment of Yellowstone National Park in 1872.

Second-Wave Environmentalism Beliefs

• Second-wave environmentalism saw widespread involvement of many citizens, addressing various issues such as pollution, wildlife protection, and nuclear power.

  • warned of resource depletion and industrial society collapse due to relentless economic and population growth.

• Two prominent perspectives emerged:

  • "deep ecology," advocating for humans' equivalence with other species

  • "environmental justice," focusing on the impact of environmental degradation on marginalized communities.

Second-Wave Environmentalism Strategies:

• Expressed by various peoples through public education, lobbying, formation of Green parties, and direct action through demonstrations and protests.

  • In authoritarian regimes like the Soviet Union and China, environmental activism faced challenges but gained traction over time, often grounded in local traditions emphasizing harmony with nature.

• In the Global South, environmentalism often took a more locally based approach, addressing issues like food security, health, and displacement due to development projects.

Global Impact and Achievements:

• 21st century: Environmentalism became a global concern, prompting actions at various levels, including government policies, renewable energy adoption, and huge-scale international agreements like the Paris Climate Agreement.

  • Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreement and other climate change regulations due to interest in the oil industry.

• Sharp conflicts arose between the Global North and South over initiatives to address global warming

  • They had different environmental protection and economic development priorities.

Significance and Challenges:

• Despite achievements in environmentalism, challenges remain.

  • Resistance from fossil fuel industries, disagreements between North and South in addressing climate issues, and the need for lifestyle changes in developed countries to achieve sustainability.