Ecological pressures
Aerosol pollution
Aerosols are defined as microscopic solid or liquid particles that enter the Earth's atmosphere through man-made and natural processes.
Natural processes contribute to 90% of aerosol pollution in the atmosphere, humans being responsible for 10%. Aerosols can have significant impact on the environment and human health - just what can be done about the problem?
Air pollution
Like aerosols, air pollution has man-made and natural causes. Air pollution has serious consequences for human health and the environment.
During the last 200 years - since the industrial revolution - mankind has increasingly altered the composition of the atmosphere. What is the impact on the planet?
Biodiversity loss
We are, by all credible accounts, currently in the sixth great extinction in Earth's history. Humans are undoubtably driving this loss of biodiversity.
The current rate of species extinction is between 1,000 - 10,000 times higher than the background rate of extinction.
Since 1970, populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish have plummetd by just under 60%.
Deforestation
Deforestation statistics are sobering.
70% of the world's plant and animal biodiversity hails from forested areas.
Despite this, recent estimates suggest that an area of forest equivalent to 48 football pitches is cleared every minute. 7.3 million hectares a year.
Groundwater Depletion
Within the next decade, the number of people living in water-stressed countries is estimated to rise from 800 million to 3 billion.
Over a billion people lack access to reliable sources of clean water and 2.6 billion lack proper sanitation. Groundwater depletion impacts on billions of people.
Global Warming
Global warming is having a much more pronounced impact on the planet than even recent projections predicted.
According to NASA data, global temperatures are now rising at their fastest rate in recent history. 16 of the 17 hottest years on NASA's 135 year climate record arose since 2000.
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