This "Living Earth Report 2002" is based on the calculation and analysis of scientific data from all countries in the world, among which "Global Vitality Index" and "Global Ecological Impact Index" are the two most important data reference indexes.
The report believes that the current overdraft consumption of mankind cannot be sustained for a long time. The report pointed out that due to the excessive consumption of human beings, in the past 30 years, human economic activities have reduced the species of life on the earth by 35%, of which freshwater organisms have decreased by 54%; The species of marine life has decreased by 35%; Forest species decrease 15%.
The report estimates that according to the current consumption rate of natural resources and the global population growth rate, the "overdraft" degree of natural resources will increase by 20% every year in the future. This means that by 2050, human beings will consume 1.8 to 2.2 times the biological potential of the earth. In other words, by then, it may take two earths to meet the human demand for natural resources. But do we have two earths?
The report also pointed out that at present, the total land and sea area available for biological growth on the earth is11400 million hectares, that is, only 1.9 hectares of land or sea are available for every 6 billion people in the world.
This report warns the world with unprecedented strength that human beings, especially western developed countries, are consuming limited earth resources at a high speed far exceeding the earth's load. Among them, the United States is the largest consumer of the earth's resources, and the per capita consumption of resources is twice that of the developed industrial country Britain and more than 24 times that of some African countries! According to the report, Americans own an average of 5.27 hectares of land and sea, but they consume 9.7 hectares of resources. This difference certainly comes from underdeveloped countries. On the other hand, Africa's land and sea area is per capita 1.55 hectares, but the resources they can actually use are only 1.36 hectares.
To this end, the report seriously criticized that the wasteful lifestyle of rich and developed countries is the main reason for the rapid consumption of natural resources on earth. If this trend does not change, by 2050, the global marine fishery resources will be exhausted, the virgin forests that can absorb carbon dioxide emitted by human beings will be completely destroyed, a large number of water sources will be polluted, clean water sources will become extremely scarce, and the earth resources and environment on which human beings depend will be in jeopardy.
Jonathan Lowe, the main drafter of the report, believes that in order to stop this trend and achieve sustainable development, four measures must be taken: reducing energy consumption by improving technology, adopting more economical consumption methods, controlling population growth and protecting ecosystems.
It is reported that the World Summit on Sustainable Development will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 26th to September 2nd this year. The World Wide Fund for Nature released this report one month before the summit, aiming at calling on governments to take a long-term view instead of focusing on immediate political interests, effectively improve education and medical care, and effectively curb population growth by controlling the birth rate.
sustainable development
Since the middle of this century, social, economic and political problems such as resources, environment and population have become increasingly acute and globalized, and the so-called "human dilemma" has attracted more and more researchers. Among them, the research results of the Club of Rome are the most striking. The Club of Rome, founded in April 1968, is a small group composed of well-known scientists, economists and sociologists.
1972 In March, a team of 17 led by Medus submitted a research report entitled "The Limit of Growth" to the Club of Rome. They chose five parameters that determine human destiny: population, industrial development, grain, non-renewable natural resources and pollution. The conclusion of the report is that the earth is limited, and human beings must consciously curb growth, otherwise it will be followed by the collapse of human society. This theory is also called "zero growth" theory.
After the birth of the "zero growth" theory, more and more people began to seriously think about the long-term development on a global scale. From 65438 to 0987, the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development put forward a report entitled "Our Common Future", in which a model of "sustainable development" was designed. 1992, the United Nations "Environment and Development Conference" adopted the "Sustainable Development Strategy". At present, the word "sustainable development" has swept the world, becoming the focus of attention of governments and the public all over the world, and also the focus of discussion by experts and scholars from all walks of life. (Reporter Sun Jiahua)
The annual consumption of human beings has exceeded 20% of the earth's output. Today, the average person uses the natural resources provided by 2.2 hectares of land. In fact, the limit of resources that the earth can provide is per person 1.8 hectares.
This new report investigates the natural and resource conditions of 149 countries.
Do you feel that we are particularly rich in materials now? Now we not only have enough food and clothing, but also throw away many things as garbage when they can still be used. Not long ago, the Earth Ecological Report 2004 pointed out that the annual consumption of human beings has exceeded 20% of the earth's output, and we have greatly overdrawn the resources of future generations.
The Earth Ecology Report 2004 is the fifth edition of a series of publications of the World Wide Fund for Nature. The main purpose of this series of reports is to explore the influence of human beings on the earth and review the natural and resource conditions of 65,438+049 countries. The new report points out that the health of the earth is declining rapidly, because people's consumption of natural resources is increasing day by day, especially in developed countries in North America. The report warns that with the development of these areas and the consumption of more resources, the pressure on the earth's resources will continue to increase. "We consume natural resources faster than natural renewal," said Martin, director-general of WWF. "Unless the government restores the balance between our consumption of natural resources and the earth's renewable capacity, we will not be able to repay these ecological debts."
The evaluation results of the new report are mainly based on two indicators: "Earth Ecological Index" and "Ecological Footprint". The so-called "earth ecological index" refers to the changes in the number of organisms on the earth. The new report shows that in recent years, human consumption of natural resources has exceeded 20% that the earth can produce. The so-called "ecological footprint" refers to the total land and sea area where human beings engage in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery and fiber production, maintain energy consumption and accommodate infrastructure, that is, the area where human beings develop nature, including the area where human excreta and pollutants need to be treated naturally. For example, a person's food consumption can be converted into the area of cultivated land needed to produce these foods, and the total amount of carbon dioxide he emits can be converted into the area of forest, grassland or farmland needed to absorb these carbon dioxide. The expanding ecological footprint is particularly serious in industrialized countries.
The new report shows that since 196 1, the "ecological footprint" of human beings has increased by 2.5 times. The average ecological footprint of human beings today is as follows: the average person uses 2.2 hectares of land to provide natural resources, which is calculated by dividing the vital land and sea area of the earth11300 million hectares by the global population of 6 10/000 million; But in fact, the resource limit that the earth can provide is per person 1.8 hectares, and the per capita ecological deficit is 0.4 hectares. The higher the value of "ecological footprint", the more serious the ecological damage caused by human beings. The over-exploitation of natural resources by human beings is becoming more and more serious, which leads to the reduction or irreversible destruction of benign ecological areas such as wetlands, grasslands, forests and oceans.
The expanding ecological footprint is particularly serious in industrialized countries, and westerners are consuming resources at an extreme level that is difficult to maintain the sustainable development of the earth. The per capita resource consumption level in North America is not only twice that in Europe, but even seven times that in Asia or Africa. Germany's per capita "ecological footprint" reached 4.8 hectares, and North American countries even reached 9.2 hectares. Among all countries, the United Arab Emirates "tops the list" with its high level of material life and crazy oil exploitation-the per capita ecological footprint is 9.9 hectares, which is 4.5 times the global average; The United States and Kuwait followed closely, ranking second with a per capita ecological footprint of 9.5 hectares. Poverty-stricken Afghanistan ranks last, with a per capita ecological footprint of 0.3 hectares. China ranks 75th, and China consumes only 1.5 hectares of natural resources per capita, which is lower than the global average. However, due to the large population of China, the per capita resources provided by the territory of China are only 0.8 hectares, and the per capita ecological deficit is higher than the global average.
According to the new report data, the annual per capita new water resources exploitation in the world is 650 cubic meters, and that in China is 430 cubic meters. The annual per capita water consumption in the world is 8870 cubic meters, and that in China is 2240 cubic meters. It can be seen that the exploitation speed of water resources cannot keep up with people's water consumption. The world's great rivers such as the Nile, the Yellow River and the Colorado River all have over-used water sources, and it is usually difficult to flow to the ocean in dry season. As a result, the global wetlands and internal drainage systems are gradually drying up.
Among all natural resources consumption, human consumption of energy is particularly serious, among which the consumption of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil is dominant, which is the fastest growing index of human resource consumption since 196 1. WWF pointed out that the overuse of energy is threatening human beings with climate change, and the government, industry and the public should turn to renewable energy and promote energy-saving technologies, energy-saving buildings and energy-saving transportation systems in time.
"Sustainable life and high-quality life sometimes have some contradictions." Jonathan Lah, one of the authors of the 2004 Earth Ecology Report, said, "However, we still need to stop wasting natural resources and restore the balance between developing countries and industrialized countries, which is conducive to the sustainable development of the world and let us live on a green earth instead of a earth full of garbage and waste gas."
Jiefang Daily reported that the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is the most authoritative independent environmental protection organization in the world.
The most detailed report on the state of the earth's resources was published on the 9th. The report predicts that due to current human rights
The utilization rate of natural resources exceeds 20% of its renewable capacity. If the government stops interfering, after 2030,
The overall living standard of mankind will decline.
This 2002 Living Earth Report is based on scientific data from all over the world.
After analysis, the "Global Vitality Index" and the "Global Ecological Impact Index" are the two most important data references.
Index.
The report believes that the current overdraft consumption of mankind cannot be sustained for a long time. The report pointed out that due to the excessive elimination of human beings,
Consumption, in the past 30 years, human economic activities have reduced the number of biological species on the earth by 35%, including fresh water.
Biological decline of 54%; The species of marine life has decreased by 35%; Forest species decrease 15%.
The report estimates that if we measure the current consumption rate of natural resources and the global population growth rate, human beings in the future will
The degree of "overdraft" on natural resources will increase at the rate of 20% every year. This means that by 2050,
In 2008, the resources that human beings will consume will be 1.8 to 2.2 times of the biological potential of the earth. In other words, by then,
It may take two earths to meet human needs for natural resources. But do we have two earths?
The report also pointed out that at present, the total land and sea area available for biological growth on the earth is11400 million hectares, namely
There are only 65,438+0.9 hectares of land or sea for every 6 billion people in the world.
This report warns the world with unprecedented strength that human beings, especially western developed countries, are far away.
The high speed far exceeding the earth's load consumes limited earth resources. Among them, the United States is the number one resource on the earth and consumes a lot.
China's per capita resource consumption is twice that of Britain, a developed industrial country, and 24% of that of some African countries.
More times! According to the report, Americans own an average of 5.27 hectares of land and sea, but they consume 9.5%.
Of course, the resource difference within 7 hectares comes from underdeveloped countries. The per capita ocean area in Africa is 1.55 hectares.
Land area, but the resources they can actually use are only 1.36 hectares.
To this end, the report seriously criticizes the wasteful lifestyle of rich and developed countries that has led to the destruction of the earth's natural resources.
The main reason for high-speed consumption. If this trend does not change, the global marine fishery resources will be exhausted in 2050.
Exhausted virgin forests that can absorb carbon dioxide emitted by human beings will be completely destroyed, and a large number of water sources will be polluted and become clean.
The source becomes extremely scarce, and the earth resources and environment on which human beings depend will be in jeopardy.
Jonathan Lowe, the main drafter of the report, believes that it is necessary to stop this trend and achieve sustainable development.
Take four measures: reduce energy consumption by improving technology, adopt more economical consumption methods and control people.
Population growth and ecosystem protection.
It is reported that from August 26th to September 2nd this year, the World Summit on Sustainable Development will be held in John, South Africa.
Held in Nesburg. WWF published this report one month before the summit, aiming to appeal to all countries.
The government should not only consider the immediate political interests, but should really focus on the long-term, effectively improve the level of education and medical care, and pass
Controlling the birth rate has effectively curbed population growth.
sustainable development
Since the middle of this century, social, economic and political problems such as resources, environment and population have become increasingly acute and globalized.
The so-called "human dilemma" has attracted more and more researchers. Among them, the research results of the Club of Rome are the most striking.
Focus. The Club of Rome was founded in April 1968. He is a famous scientist, economist and sociologist.
A small group of people.
1972 in March, the 17 team led by Medus submitted a research report to the club of Rome.
Report entitled "The Limits to Growth". They chose five parameters that determine the fate of mankind: population and industry.
Industrial development, grain, non-renewable natural resources and pollution. The conclusion of the report is that the earth is limited and human beings must
Consciously curb growth, otherwise it will be followed by the collapse of human society. This theory is also called "zero growth"
Theory.
After the birth of the "zero growth" theory, more and more people began to seriously think about the long-term development on a global scale.
1987, the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development put forward a report entitled "We are the same as before".
The report designs a "sustainable development" model. 1992, United Nations "Environment and Development"
And will adopt a "sustainable development strategy". At present, the word "sustainable development" has become popular all over the world.
The focus of attention of the government and the public and the focus of discussion by experts and scholars from all walks of life.