Human and Nature
Dec 25, 2015
Review of last lecture
• Large spread in projected temperature change comes from uncertainties in climate feedbacks
• Main climate feedbacks for global warming: ice-albedo, temperature, water vapor, cloud, aerosol, carbon cycle
• Abrupt climate change and tipping points
Dujiangyan irrigation system 250BC (都江堰 )
Eliminate floods. still in use today to irrigate over 5,300 km2 of land. Survived the big earthquake in 2008.
Ancient view of nature: Quite modern
Basic elements of natural systems
•Wind
•Earth
•Fire
•Water
Respect and be in harmony with nature
(Conservation of monmentum)
(Conservation of mass)
(Conservation of energy)
Video: Feelings of mountain and water
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhido7QSvGQ
Possible solutions
• Take advantage of the positive effects
• Try to avoid the negative effects
• Enjoy the bare necessities
• Be independent
Vision: Enjoy the bare necessities
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ogQ0uge06o
• Sustainability• Human rights and dignity• Accountability• Efficiency• Investment in the future
Vision: Green Economy
Summary
• Cradles of civilization. Were the ancient people stupid?
• Ancient view of nature• Industry revolution: positive effects and
negative effects • Vision: environmental protection and enjoy
the bare necessities
Work cited• http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/ctl/abrupt.html • http
://intercongreen.com/2010/03/15/green-building-ebbs-slightly-in-recession-but-sentiment-remains-strong/
• http://nimbuseco.com/2013/01/deforestation-and-pollution-facts/ • http://greenbalkans.org/category.php?language=en_EN&cat_id=63 • http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ia/newsroom/releases/?cid=
nrcs142p2_011847 • http://www.csiro.au/en/Portals/Multimedia/On-the-record/Megan-Clark-presentation-2
0090526-generating-industries/Post-Combustion-Carbon-Capture.aspx
• http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2005/09/the_consumer_dr.html • http://nca2009.globalchange.gov/human-health • http://yosemite.epa.gov/ee/epa/eerm.nsf/vwAN/EE-0564-112.pdf/$file/EE-0564-112.
pdf • http://livinggreenmag.com/2012/06/13/climate-change/scientists-warn-that-earth-is-
close-to-climate-tipping-point/ • http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/29/opinion/mystreet-digital-anthropology/ • http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:World-airline-routemap-2009.png