Biosphere: ‘… the place on earth’s surface where life dwells.’

Geologist Eduard Suess, 1875.

A spherical shell at the Earth’s surface that includes land, water and the atmosphere. This is where virtually all life exists.

Biosphere: ‘… the place on earth’s surface where life dwells.’

Geologist Eduard Suess, 1875.

A spherical shell at the Earth’s surface that includes land, water and the atmosphere. This is where virtually all life exists.

2SPACESHIP EARTH part 2

OxygenWaterFoodClothing and shelterCommunication – we are born to

learn through communication!

OxygenWaterFoodClothing and shelterCommunication – we are born to

learn through communication!

3SPACESHIP EARTH part 1

ENERGY: Our spaceship has an energy budget that depends upon the sun. The supply is not unlimited but it is very large.

WATER: Our spaceship has a limited amount of water that is in continuous circulation.

ENERGY: Our spaceship has an energy budget that depends upon the sun. The supply is not unlimited but it is very large.

WATER: Our spaceship has a limited amount of water that is in continuous circulation.

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5SPACESHIP EARTH part 2

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Atmosphere 0.013

Oceans: 1370

Ice caps: 29Groundwater: 9.5

Lakes: 0.125Rivers: 0.125

0.43 0.40

STORAGE: 106 km3

FLOW: 106 km3/year

How many passengers now? In 2040?

Where are they located? Are they well-behaved? Passenger satisfaction in the

‘good old days’ What’s next for the Biosphere?

How many passengers now? In 2040?

Where are they located? Are they well-behaved? Passenger satisfaction in the

‘good old days’ What’s next for the Biosphere?

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10SPACESHIP EARTH part 2

CONTINENT 2010 (Bn) 2050 (Bn)

Africa 1.03 (15%) 2.00 (22%)

Asia 4.17 (60%) 5.23 (57%)

Europe 0.73 (11%) 0.69 (8%)

Latin America

0.59 (9%) 0.73 (8%)

N America 0.35 (5%) 0.45 (5%)

Oceania 0.04 (1%) 0.05 (1%)

WORLD 6.91 (100%) 9.15 (100%)

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12SPACESHIP EARTH part 2

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Year Urban_pop (M)

Frac of total

World_pop (B)

1900 220 13 % 1.7

1950 732 29 % 2.5

2005 3,200 49 % 6.5

2010 3,400 50+ % 6.7

2050 (est) 6,000+ 67 % 9.0 (est)

Urbanization pressure is intense, because the total population is growing and a larger fraction of people want to live in cities.

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1. Tokyo-Yokohama, Japan 33,200,0002. New York, United States 17,800,0003. Sao Paulo, Brazil 17,700,0004. Seoul-Incheon, S.Korea 17,500,0005. Mexico City, Mexico 17,400,0006. Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto,Japan 16,425,0007. Manila, Philippines 14,750,0008. Mumbai, India 14,350,0009. Jakarta, Indonesia 14,250,000

10. Lagos, Nigeria 13,400,000

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1. Tokyo-Yokohama, Japan 37,300,0002. Mumbai, India 26,000,0003. Delhi,India 25,800,0004. Dhaka,Bangladesh 22,000,0005. Mexico City, Mexico 21,800,0006. Sao Paolo, Brazil 21,600,0007. Lagos,Nigeria 21,500,0008. Jakarta,Indonesia 20,800,0009. New York,US 20,400,000

10. Karachi,Pakistan 18,900,000

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17SPACESHIP EARTH part 2

Trees to desert in Zambia

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An ocean of plastic

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Smog in the city of the angels

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No-one has yet found the manual for operating the

spaceship on behalf of all creatures.

No-one has yet found the manual for operating the

spaceship on behalf of all creatures.

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The biosphere is a thin shell …providing all basic human life-

support needs.Annual cycles – energy, water –

play critical roles.We live in urban environments

in increasing numbers.

The biosphere is a thin shell …providing all basic human life-

support needs.Annual cycles – energy, water –

play critical roles.We live in urban environments

in increasing numbers.

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