Environment: a futuristic view

Abstract

The earth today is experiencing environmental conditions unprecedented in the history of the planet. Biodiversity is the basis of ecosystem services for human well-being. Reports indicate that the earth has indeed entered into a phase of mass extinction, and that the ecological footprint has substantially exceeded the biocapacity of the earth. It is argued that the ecological footprint must be reduced through sustainable development which should keep nature at its core. Anthropogenic activities have led to global environmental change which is adversely affecting human well-being. Global warming may result in a temperature rise of 4–5℃ the world food production may substantially decline, and the sea level may rise by up to 195 cm by 2100, inundating vast coastal areas. Almost four billion people are facing water scarcity. Three of the nine Rockström's planetary boundaries have already been exceeded. However, the encouraging fact is that the nations have agreed to limit global warming to 1.5℃, which gives us hope.