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A number of human-related factors such as over-population, inefficient production and reliance on finite and polluting resources create a raft problems that result in environmental, social and economic unsustainability.
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Unsustainability
and the issues we face
 Franz Josef Glacier
The impact of humans
Human impacts affecting the earth's environment, when added together, are very complex and difficult to unravel. This is borne out in the fact that it took about a hundred years for scientists to agree that global warming has been induced by the actions of the human species. Nevertheless the message is now clear: we humans have done irreparable damage to the earth’s environment and we will continue to do so unless we change our attitudes and behaviours.
Through population growth, industrialisation and consumerism humans have changed the world’s environment in unprecedented ways. Climate change, habitat loss and species extinctions have occurred because of factors like pollution, soil degradation, deforestation and the introduction of noxious animals and pests.
Human nature
Natural ecosystems have evolved over billions of years to be finely balanced and self-regulating. Humans are part of nature however we act as if we aren't. You might say that what humans are doing to the planet's ecosystems is unnatural. However is not in the nature of humans to be consciously destructive, especially when it affects the chance of future generations to survive and thrive. We must rediscover our real human nature?
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Page links
Some of the factors leading to unsustainability and some of the resultant impacts are discussed on these pages:
Population
What is a sustainable population?
Consumption
Behaviours and patterns of consumption affect sustainabilty
Climate change
Caused by greenhouse gas emissions
Waste and pollution
Many synthetic chemicals and human-made products result in waste 'streams' that natural ecosystems cannot deal with.
Water
Pure, uncontaminated water is a precious resource which is becoming harder and harder to find.
Energy
Energy is crucial to civilisation, however our sources of energy and the way we use it is having enormous impacts.
Mineral resources
By removing minerals from the earth's crust and using them we are unconsciously releasing a time bomb into the ecosphere.
Land and soil
Land use has changed dramatically in recent times and intensive farming has degraded and eroded the soils which sustain life.
Biodiversity
Extinctions caused by habitat loss, climate change and pollution will impact on the whole ecosystem.
Food production
Increases in population and changes in patterns of consumption have led to intensive farming and fishing practices with resultant negative impacts.
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