Our work is not done

‘Our work here is done’: nations sign historic climate deal; 9:27AM Sunday Dec 13, 2015. Almost 200 nations struck a landmark grand bargain on climate change, http://www.smh.com.au

The world’s human population has tripled in the last 60 years. In 1950 the population stood at 2,555,982,611 compared to 2012 which it now stands at over 7,400,000,000. Our enormous population places stress on every aspect of the environment.

Climate deal hailed as turning point: One phrase that will now dominate conversations is “two degrees” after an announcement in Paris.

More than half of Earth’s terrestrial surface has been altered by human activity, resulting in drastic deforestation, erosion and loss of topsoil, pollution, biodiversity loss and extinctions.

Currently, one third of humans have inadequate access to clean, fresh water. The number is expected to increase by to up to two thirds by 2050. Pollution isn’t just limited to the air or water, pollution is starting to take hold in the soils.

To feed our population, we convert an estimated 120 million tons of nitrogen from the atmosphere into reactive forms such as nitrates, mainly in the production of nitrogen-based fertilizer for crops. The runoff from crops into our oceans has a negative  effect upon phytoplankton which is responsible for the production of most of the oxygen in our air. Over the last 250 years, ocean surface acidity has increased by 30%, and is expected to increase by 150% by 2100.

Human development is rapacious and ongoing. Preserving habitats is essential to preserving biodiversity. yet Since 1990 half of the world’s rainforests have been destroyed. The clearing of forests continue at an alarming rate.

From a week ago: Few migratory birds adequately protected across migration cycle. Dec 3, 2015, University of Queensland: Scientists have called for a greater international collaborative effort to save the world’s migratory birds, many of which are at risk of extinction due to loss of habitat along their flight paths. More than 90 per cent of the world’s migratory birds are inadequately protected due to poorly coordinated conservation around the world, a new study reveals.