Due to the rapid increase in global temperature and its direct effects, the ecological balance of planet Earth is threatened. A study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) has raised concerns that seven critical processes have already exceeded or exceeded safety levels. These processes directly affect the climate, biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources.
“The general assessment is that the ailing Planet Earth is in critical condition. Six of the nine “planetary thresholds” have been exceeded and seven processes show a trend of increasing pressure. Soon, most of Planetária's 'health check' parameters will be in the 'high risk zone'PIK director Johan Rockström told g1.
These phenomena include everything from deforestation and rampant urbanization to pollution and excessive use of fertilizers. Understanding the scale of these impacts is critical to addressing the environmental crisis that threatens the balance of life on Earth. Below are some processes that require urgent attention.
What are the important processes according to the study?
Researchers have identified seven regions at risk, highlighting the planet's state of alert. They highlight changes in land use, global warming, the loss of biodiversity and the alteration of the nitrogen and phosphorus cycle. These areas are in the high-risk zone, indicating the need for immediate effective measures.
In addition, chemical pollution and unsustainable use of fresh water are making the environmental situation even worse. Ocean acidification, in particular, represents an immediate threat to marine life, affecting species essential to the balance of marine ecosystems.
How does land use affect ecological balance?
Land use changes, primarily through deforestation and urban expansion, destroy habitats and compromise key ecosystem functions. The forest area has been significantly reduced, as only about 59% of the original area is currently protected. Urban and agricultural areas have replaced vast areas of tropical and boreal forests, reducing the ability of these areas to regulate climate and preserve biodiversity.
These changes are closely related to the growth of extensive agriculture and urbanization, which were mainly responsible for global deforestation between 2000 and 2018. The resulting environmental degradation compromises not only native flora and fauna, but also the planet's capacity to sustain human life. consistently.
Resource exploration and nitrogen cycle.
The widespread use of fertilizers damages the cycling of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. These are essential elements for life, but their excessive use has resulted in dangerous concentrations in the environment, especially in bodies of water. This imbalance contributes to algae blooms and oxygen depletion, resulting in dead zones in aquatic environments.
Industrial production of nitrogen and phosphorus for fertilizers exceeds prescribed safe limits, causing unprecedented degradation of aquatic ecosystems and increasing the risk of biodiversity loss.
Ocean acidification occurs when seawater absorbs more CO₂ from the atmosphere, changing the chemical balance of the ocean. This change affects calcified marine organisms such as corals and mollusks, compromising their ability to form healthy structures and threatening the survival of reefs that are fundamental to many ecosystems.
As aragonite concentration levels approach safe limits, marine life faces increasing risks, leading to the extinction of many species and the destruction of key marine ecosystems. This scenario is a warning about the need for concerted global action to protect the oceans and reduce CO₂ emissions.
