Irmi Seidl - Economic growth on a finite planet-status quo and perspectives - Colloqui di Martina Franca 2014
Economic growth on a finite
planet – status quo and
perspectives
Irmi Seidl
Swiss Research Institute WSL
2
Content
1. Earth – a materially closed system
2. Anthropocene: transgression of planetary boundaries
3. Exponential growth in human impacts
4. Footprint - measurement of human impact
5. The energy question
6. Major environmental objectives
22/24 maggio 2014 - Quale Economia, per quale Benessere
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1. Earth – a materially closed system
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Radiation of sun Heat
Stock of energy and materials is limited
622/24 maggio 2014 - Quale Economia, per quale Benessere
2. Anthropocene
Human activities
- have significant global impact on the Earth's ecosystems
- influence land use, ecosystems, biodiversity, and atmosphere
- impact irreversibly
- constitute a new geological epoch
1873 first evocation of 'anthropozoic era‘ by Italian geologist
Antonio Stoppani
722/24 maggio 2014 - Quale Economia, per quale Benessere
Rockströmetal.2009,Nature,Vol461,24Sept.,p.472ff.
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Prices in last century
Source: McKinsey Global Institute, Resource Revolution. Tracking global commodity markets, Sept. 13, S. 6
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6. Major environmental objectives
Rise in global temperature max 2-2.4 C
Reduce European CO2-emission by 85-95% by 2050
Sustainable resource use
Reduce European resource consumption by 80-90% by 2050
22/24 maggio 2014 - Quale Economia, per quale Benessere