Sustainocene
Sustainocene is the name given to a future epoch where humanity becomes the environmental steward when transitioning from the current Anthropocene to the Sustainocene. As the name implies, sustainability is the key definition of this epoch. The general assumption is to change current use and forms of energy to reach sustainable targets.
Definition
The name ‘Sustainocene’ was coined by Bryan Furnass, in his paper From Anthropocene to Sustainocene – challenges and opportunities. According to Bryan Furnass the Sustainocene would transition to a low carbon economy with the help of sustainable and ethical governance, supporting interdependence of ecology, society and economy in order to reach a planetary steady state. [1][2]
Characteristics
Bryan Furnass outlined main points to reach environmental sustainability, as he calls it "A post carbon world", because of air pollution, biodiversity lose and global warming. He proposed energy generation with renewable energy sources. Rail transportation rather than by road, ships which make more use of wind, hybrid cars, fuel cells, biofuels from algae and crop wastes.[1][2] He also suggests to switch to organic agriculture with local food production and to implement more equality when accessing health resources and puts an emphasis on more healthy lifestyles. The scope of the broad transition is the adaptation and more resilience to climate change.
Energy generation
Forms of renewable energy generation include wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, wave energy among others. It has been suggested that the large scale deployment of solar thermal energy sources in the deserts of the world could met global demand.[3]
Artificial photosynthesis
Ideas to reach the Sustainocene include the help of artificial photosynthesis and fuel cells to absorb carbon dioxide.[4]
Overview
Since the Anthropocene marks the evidence and the extent of human impact on the environment that have had a significant global impact on the Earth's ecosystems many studies outlined the problems and looked for solutions. The concept of an epoch with more environmental stewardship was raised with considerable public attention by The Club of Rome in 1972 with its report The Limits to Growth. The United Nations World Charter for Nature from 1982 raised five principles of conservation by which human conduct affecting nature is to be guided and judged. The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report outlines current knowledge about scientific, technical and socio-economic information concerning climate change, and lists options for adaptation and mitigation.[5]
The emphasis on more sustainable development, was influentially propounded by ecological economists such as E.F. Schumacher in his book Small Is Beautiful and Kenneth Boulding with his idea of Spaceship Earth as a closed economy requiring recycling of resources. As well as Herman Daly with his notion of steady state economies drawing upon the laws of thermodynamics and the tendency of the universe to greater entropy (the dispersal of energy).
One area of academic research and policy development that fits well with “Sustainocene’ thinking is the idea that this planet should be treated not just as a distinct living entity (James Lovelock’s Gaia Hypothesis), but as a patient. Thus, technological development, carbon sequestration, climate engineering and the sustainability of the biosphere are in focus.
It has been argued that transition to the Sustainocene requires a concerted approach rather than piecemeal actions to support ecosystem resilience.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b Furnass, Bryan (March 21, 2012). "From Anthropocene to Sustainocene – challenges and opportunities" (PDF). Australian National University. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ a b Furnass, Bryan (March 21, 2012). "Slideshow: Anthropocene to Sustainocene. Challenges and Opportunities". Australian National University. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
- ^
"DESERTEC – Clean Power from Deserts" (PDF). Hani El-Nokraschy. Presentation at MENAREC conference 15–16 May 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Thomas Faunce (July 4, 2012). "Towards a Global Solar Fuels Project-Artificial Photosynthesis and the Transition from Anthropocene to Sustainocene". Procedia Engineering 49 ( 2012 ) 348-356. Australian National University; Australian Research Council.
- ^ IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (2014). "Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability" (PDF). Geneva (Switzerland): IPCC.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Ranganatham J, Irwin F. World Resources Institute. Letter. The Economist June 9, 2011 http://www.economist.com/node/18803255/print?story_id=18803255 (accessed 24 June 2013)