And the science says....

This is not a diatribe about hard-core climate change deniers (after all,we all know at least one and hopefully agree that it would be a waste of perfectly good positive energy). Nor is it about those who are happy to wait until they are knee deep in water on their favourite beach esplanade (where normally they would be sitting drinking a suitable beverage and admiring the beach etc) before they suddenly cry "But no-one told me this would happen, really" or "I didn't think it would be this bad".

For those who like to think about the bigger picture here on earth, the millennium ecosystem assessment may be of interest. Its objective was summarised as "to assess the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and the scientific basis for action needed to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of those systems and their contribution to human well-being".

Yes, the scientific basis, that logical, rational reasoning behind why we need to improve the way we manage and interact with all those ecosystems which make up our planet (and funnily enough do not revolve around us). The fact I like most is that it isn't the work of a small group of people but rather involved the work of 1360 scientists.

ONE of the disturbing findings included;
"Over the past 50 years, humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period of time in human history, largely to meet rapidly growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fiber and fuel. This has resulted in a substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on Earth." Note the concept of global warming isn't even mentioned!

Even if you believe we aren't contributing to the changes in atmosphere, we have definitely left a scar here on earth that needs to be addressed. It also highlights the underlying theme of the precautionary principle (for a refresher see ESD - that's not a party drug), that uncertainty is not a reason not to do something that could potentially have a significant effect on the environment.

Carbon dioxide is a colourless, odourless liquid so it is often out of sight, out of mind. Yet a polluted stream or a dried up wetland is ripe with visual clues that things are not OK.

What can you do which will make a positive difference in your ecosystem today?