Naming our current geologic eon the Anthropocene recognizes that human activity is the main driver of environmental change on the surface of the planet. That realization comes at a time in which our understanding of Earth System Science is still in its infancy. In the United States, both the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NASA have very active Earth System Science programs. It is fair to notice that in many areas these programs are still attempting to answer first-order questions. It is not for a lack of hard work and rapid development! But to put things into perspective, the key principles of plate tectonics were only developed in the first half of the 20th century, and it has been only in the last three decades that Earth scientists have had access to the kind of computer power needed for mathematical modeling of climate change. Modeling of the effects of global environmental change on economies or on political systems is still lacking in many areas. Our understanding of how these very different disciplines come together will require decades of research to mature.
Limitations in our understanding of relevant fields, however, do not obscure the specific needs for translating insights from these emergent fields into global governance.
Basically, we know what direction research must take in order to support sustainability goals.
That is important information, because it can direct our inquiry as researchers.
Our last task in this course will be to find our individual places in the sustainability systems puzzle.
Class Discussion Forum 12:
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If the most commonly cited value to be sustained was life support systems, explain what it means for current patterns of consumption?
- Explain to what extent should the environment NOT be a consideration in our evaluations of life support systems.