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A recent article in Discover Magazine discusses planetary tipping points and what must happen for humankind to avoid tipping the balance in the wrong direction. According to the article, 28 leading scientists have drawn up a list of 'planetary boundaries' that must not be crossed if we want to "avoid drastically changing the global environment and imperiling our own existence."
When push comes to shove, individuals can make a difference in steering the planet in the right direction, especially by influencing carbon emissions, chemical pollution, water usage, and land management.
How to Tip the Planet in the Right Direction
1. Environmental Tipping Point: Carbon Emissions and Ocean Acidification
The average American's carbon footprint is 20 tons per year. According to experts, an average of 3 tons would begin to reverse global climate change.
First, calculate your footprint. Then make an effort to reduce your personal emissions. Researchers estimate that the atmospheric CO2 threshold is no greater than 350 parts per million (p.p.m.). Unfortunately, we're already at 387 p.p.m., and rising according to the article. As a result, too much carbon in the atmosphere is being absorbed into the ocean, which, in turn, causes ocean acidification. According to recent surveys, the ocean is now acidifying 100 times faster than at any time during the past 20 million years.
Trees absorb carbon. Without them we're in real trouble. So participate in tree planting efforts in your community whenever possible. Also demonstrate support for organizations like Tree People and the Arbor Day Foundation. Take a moment to learn which areas are getting hit the worst, and get involved
2. Environmental Tipping Point: Excess Nitrogen in the Soil
Nitrogen is a huge problem. In fact, we're already over our nitrogen threshold too thanks, in large part, to industrialized farmers throwing more chemicals into the ground than Mother Earth could ever hope to process. It's not good for us, and certainly not good for the planet. But it's easily avoidable. Just buy food and clothing made with organically grown crops. If you have a garden, skip the pesticides and chemicals and garden organically.
3. Environmental Tipping Point: Fresh Water Use
This is a biggy. The average American uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water per day. Calculate your water footprint and decrease your usage accordingly. We're not past our threshold, but over zealous water use and population expansion could further endanger some vulnerable water systems. For example, the Aral Sea in Asia is almost dry, while seven major rivers, including the Colorado in the U.S., no longer reach the ocean.
4. Environmental Tipping Point: Land Use
It all comes down to land use. We haven't reached the point at which we've converted too much natural terrain to agricultural fields and cities according to the article, but population growth is looming. Poor land use planning is the hardest thing to stomach because you see it everyday, i.e., city sprawl. Supporting Smart Growth or anti-sprawl development through your city council and neighborhood associations can prevent sprawl and enable the building of walkable cities in which everything you need is right at your fingertips. So do your part to prevent city sprawl and avoid the problems that accompany it, like awful traffic.
A totally plant-based diet decreases your impact on land use dramatically. Thirty percent of the earth's entire land surface - a massive 70% of all agricultural land - is used for rearing farm animals. Imagine how much land we could save if we were all vegans.
5. Environmental Tipping Point: Biodiversity
Rainforests once covered 14 percent of the earth's land surface; now they cover a mere 6 percent. Experts estimate that the last remaining rainforest could be consumed in less than 40 years because we are losing around 137 plant, animal, and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation. That equates to 50,000 species a year. What if one of these plants holds a cure for cancer or another deadly disease?
Stop deforestation at home by boycotting as many paper and wood products as possible. For example, avoid using a printer when you can, skip the paper towels, read the newspaper online, pay bills online, bring reusable bags, and send evites. The list goes on, but you get the point.
More on Getting Involved:
The Oceans Need Your Help: Take Action
11 Ways to Stop Worrying and Love the Green Life
How to Go Green: The Basics
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