Impact of the Great Acceleration on Our Life-Support Systems

Abstract

In the half-dozen decades following World War II, Earth's human population tripled and the global gross domestic product increased nine fold. The disparity in these figures reflects an unsustainable increase in the rate of consumption of Earth's natural resources—an increase that has been dubbed The Great Acceleration. Humans are using renewable resources faster than they are renewed, using non-renewable resources faster than substitutes can be found, and discarding waste faster than it can be absorbed by the natural environment. The increase in the mass of earth moved as a direct or indirect result of this exploitation of earth resources has rendered humans the premier geomorphic agent currently sculpting Earth's surface. Mitigation efforts such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, reforestation and afforestation, restoration of ecosystems in disturbed landscapes, and recycling are constructive but insufficient. Attainment of a completely circular economy might suffice, but unless we submit to a significant decrease in our standard of living, this is likely impossible with the population increasing as it is. Lowering fertility below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman, and thus initiating a gradual long-term decrease in global population is the most promising solution.