Risks for the Environment, Biodiversity, Humankind, and the Planet

Factors tied to the environmental ills of the planet are explored primarily in connection with human attitudes and behavior. It would appear that some very basic aspects of our nature, at least partially founded in survival instincts, are at the root of the complications that loom darker with each passing day. The simple drive to reproduce and then to acquire sufficient resources for the next generation to do precisely the same has led to a monstrous human population and exorbitant exploitation of natural resources. Combined with our extraordinary capacity as ecosystem engineers, there seem to be no limits to our incessant occupation of more space and conversion of the landscape for our own benefit with little regard for other organisms or our own future needs. The outcome is a downward spiral of worsening conditions for ourselves as well as cataclysmic consequences for millions of other species. Although these problems have been recognized for some time, the majority of humans remain rather complacent about our highly predictable, and lamentable, pathway. Perceptions of proportional individual sacrifice versus community benefit will require serious modification if we are to successfully navigate the building storm on the horizon.