Biodiversity climate change impacts

Clean air is an important prerequisite for sustainable development and is a basic requirement for human health and welfare. In addition, air pollutants contribute to atmospheric problems such as acidification and global climate change, which have impacts on crop productivity, forest growth, biodiversity, buildings, and cultural monuments. The benefits from the progress made in the areas of waste gas treatment and environmental legislation are partially offset by industrialization, an increase in the number of private cars in use, and overpopulation. 

Carter, J. O., Howden, S. M., Day, K. A., and McKeon, G. M. (1998). Soil carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and biodiversity in relation to climate change. In Evaluation of the Impact of Climate Change on Northern Australian Grazing Industries. Final Report, Rural Industries Research and Devdopmeni Corp. Project 139A, 185-280. 

Threats to natural ecosystems from human impacts, including loss of habitat and biodiversity, are major current environmental concerns. From tropical rainforests to Arctic tundra, threats to ecosystems from climate change, pollution, and other human activities are well documented (Matson et al., 2002 Jenkins, 2003 Root et al.,... 

Exhaustion of abiotic resources Land surface occupation Climate change Destraction of stratospheric ozone layer Human toxicity Eco-toxicity Formation of photo-oxidants Acidification Eutrophication Loss of biodiversity Impacts of ionizing irradiations Odors SmeUs Drying out... 

When the impact of process scale is viewed from the planetary boundaries perspective, the inherent multicriteria nature of any sustainability assessment is indispensable. Even when only environmental LCA impacts are accounted for, studies have shown that certain boundaries have been crossed or are very close to the limit (i.e., with respect to climate change, biodiversity loss, and nitrogen and phosphorous cycles), while others are stiU reasonably well safeguarded (i.e., stratospheric ozone depletion, ocean acidification, and freshwater use) [64]. It is therefore possible that different production sectors may have an impact on different planetary boundaries some of which may be within or already outside their safe operating space. For instance, studies have indicated the severe impacts of plastic debris on marine organisms [65]. Thus, from a cradle-to-grave LCA perspective, fossil-based plastics production may have a more direct or at least a different kind of effect in terms of biodiversity compared to fossil-based fuel production, which is certainly in higher production scales. 

Figure 7.4.2 Cause-effect chain illustrating the potential impact of changes in climate on stream biodiversity...

People Participation—we believe in demand-led development and participatory change. Small Footprint—we want to adopt a sustainable use of natural resources and minimise any impact to the local environment, biodiversity or global climate. 

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