12 diagram of currrent conditions

OP..r~£l) B. WOQO"S~.EARTH R~GiQi\J'RATJON $OClETY410 VassayAv~l1l1eBerkeley, California 9470812/\6/83

eCOLOGICAL DIAGRAM OF CURRENT CONDITIONSThis diagram shows how categories of Earth systems presently affect each other throughpositiveand negative feedback. The result is massivechange and deterioration of the planet'sbiological support system.

FRESHWATES.;"IFEiJt

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Plant growth on demineralized soils isInsufficient to fix elevated amounts' ,of atmospheric eOl in organic molecules.This phenomenon occurs at the end ofevery interglacial period (approx. 10,000years in duration after approx. 90,000years of glacial period). but humanexploitation of the Earth has acceleratedthe onset of the present glacial period byaccelerating the buildup of atmosphericCOl.

L

INCREASEDEVAPORATION

OF TROPICAL H20--.+.

-t: 124 BUILD -UP~ OF POLARICE & SNOW

22t

23 CLOUDSTO POLESPROCESS

33 ENEGY.

FROM!EARTH'SIGUNK

:t..+34 TECTONIC

PRESSUREAND VOLUME

FIGURE 1