Jonathan’s blog highlights the problems of human ‘waste,’ but whilst humans acted as part of nature, their ‘waste’ became fertiliser or even food for a whole host of other species as part of a complex web of dependency. Problems have started occurring as scientists and designers have failed to consider the entire lifecycle of products, creating things which are entirely unnatural and consequently cannot be broken down and reabsorbed into the eco-system. Nuclear, plastic, and electrical waste will accumulate and scar our planet until an artificial or natural solution evolves. With our conscious determination to create we should adopt a conscious responsibility to deconstruct or re-create after a given objects useful life.
Used electrical wire, Zulu craftsman, Africa
Professor Bob Spicer showed us the devastating effects our waste is having on the atmosphere, and consequently our climate. Yes our climate is cyclical and as Jonathan mentioned, nature is a rapidly changing and constantly evolving force, but we have now accelerated the rate of change to a speed where evolution can no longer keep up. Many species are already feeling the impact of climatic change and as with canaries in coal mines we can observe these more sensitive species in order to evade their fate.
Changes in the migratory behaviour of birds has been noted, with ‘unprecedented numbers of warblers, blackcaps and chiffchaffs,’ choosing to winter in England. ‘With average temperatures predicted to rise steadily over the next century it is possible that in 10 or 20 years the migrating warblers will become established as birds wintering in Britain.’ As Professor Bob Spicer demonstrated with the climate forecasting models, the British climate is not the only area changing; northern Africa and the Sahel countries will become hotter and drier. Cuckoo numbers are already in decline due to this, as it is suffering ‘from drought in northeast Africa where it spends the winter.’ Likewise ‘Other species wintering in this area may also be affected by the lack of water and insects to eat.’
The latest design proposals which tackle the climate crisis seem to worryingly assume that man has tamed nature and now holds the reins. Cloud seeding and creating a giant sulphur screen may well enable us to continue driving our 4x4s, but these ‘5 ways to save the world,’ don’t address the real issue of our excessive carbon production. Neither do they consider the dwindling resources of fossil fuels. The latest bird flu crisis in Suffolk illustrates what can happen when humans twist nature to suit our economic needs, viruses and infections thrive on the cramped conditions supported by industrial farming and similarly monocultures with arable farming.
Whilst I have argued that humans have a lot more to learn from nature and that many design solutions already exist within the natural world, I also have some deep rooted concerns about the way we artificially intervene. Another planet saving idea comes from Professor Jones, who wants to ‘add one of the components of urine - urea - to the areas of the ocean that lack phytoplankton.’ Urea is a nitrogen-rich fertilizer that helps plants grow, exactly the same fertilizer which when it has seeped into river or coastal water sources from sewage causes eutrophication.
Changes in the migratory behaviour of birds has been noted, with ‘unprecedented numbers of warblers, blackcaps and chiffchaffs,’ choosing to winter in England. ‘With average temperatures predicted to rise steadily over the next century it is possible that in 10 or 20 years the migrating warblers will become established as birds wintering in Britain.’ As Professor Bob Spicer demonstrated with the climate forecasting models, the British climate is not the only area changing; northern Africa and the Sahel countries will become hotter and drier. Cuckoo numbers are already in decline due to this, as it is suffering ‘from drought in northeast Africa where it spends the winter.’ Likewise ‘Other species wintering in this area may also be affected by the lack of water and insects to eat.’
The latest design proposals which tackle the climate crisis seem to worryingly assume that man has tamed nature and now holds the reins. Cloud seeding and creating a giant sulphur screen may well enable us to continue driving our 4x4s, but these ‘5 ways to save the world,’ don’t address the real issue of our excessive carbon production. Neither do they consider the dwindling resources of fossil fuels. The latest bird flu crisis in Suffolk illustrates what can happen when humans twist nature to suit our economic needs, viruses and infections thrive on the cramped conditions supported by industrial farming and similarly monocultures with arable farming.
Whilst I have argued that humans have a lot more to learn from nature and that many design solutions already exist within the natural world, I also have some deep rooted concerns about the way we artificially intervene. Another planet saving idea comes from Professor Jones, who wants to ‘add one of the components of urine - urea - to the areas of the ocean that lack phytoplankton.’ Urea is a nitrogen-rich fertilizer that helps plants grow, exactly the same fertilizer which when it has seeped into river or coastal water sources from sewage causes eutrophication.
Coastal Eutrophication
‘Eutrophication generally promotes excessive plant growth and decay, favors certain weedy species over others, and is likely to cause severe reductions in water quality. In aquatic environments, enhanced growth of choking aquatic vegetation or phytoplankton (that is, an algal bloom) disrupts normal functioning of the ecosystem, causing a variety of problems.’ But Professor Jones thinks it will turn these areas into a lush "forest", eventually reversing the effects of global warming. The consequences are another scientist’s problem.
The Times: March 25, 2006 ‘Traditional herald of spring is in danger of falling silent,’
The Times: November 18, 2006 ‘Lazy birds give African winter the cold shoulder,’
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/6354759.stm
http://hsc.csu.edu.au/earth_environmental/core/caring/9_4_4/944net.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutrophication
http://www.re-f-use.com/view_product.php?id=50025&action=previous
http://www.ozestuaries.org/indicators/Images/swan_algae.jpg
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