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The anthropocene: from global change to planetary stewardship
Will Steffen1, Asa Persson, Lisa Deutsch
1ANU Climate Change Institute, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia. will.steffen@anu.edu.au
Ambio
|February 18, 2012
Summary
Humanity
Area of Science:
- Earth System Science
- Environmental Science
- Sustainability Studies
Background:
- Human activities have increased material wealth but led to resource scarcity and ecosystem degradation.
- The Anthropocene epoch signifies human impact rivaling global geophysical processes.
- Persistent equity issues exacerbate environmental challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the novel threats to Earth System resilience in the Anthropocene.
- To underscore the urgent need for fundamental shifts in humanity's relationship with the planet.
- To explore potential strategies for planetary stewardship.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of global resource trends and ecosystem service degradation.
- Assessment of the Earth System's capacity to absorb anthropogenic waste.
- Review of potential human interventions, including geoengineering and stewardship.
Main Results:
- Humanity faces unprecedented environmental challenges due to the speed and scale of Anthropocene impacts.
- The Holocene's stable conditions, crucial for societal development, are threatened.
- There is a significant risk of irreversible shifts to hostile Earth System states.
Conclusions:
- Fundamental alteration of our relationship with the planet is imperative.
- Active planetary stewardship is urgently needed to ensure a habitable future.
- Failure to act risks pushing the Earth System towards potentially unrecoverable states.
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