Biosphere: ‘… the place on earth’s surface where life dwells.’
Geologist Eduard Suess, 1875.
A spherical shell at the Earth’s surface that includes land, water and the atmosphere. This is where virtually all life exists.
Biosphere: ‘… the place on earth’s surface where life dwells.’
Geologist Eduard Suess, 1875.
A spherical shell at the Earth’s surface that includes land, water and the atmosphere. This is where virtually all life exists.
2SPACESHIP EARTH part 2
OxygenWaterFoodClothing and shelterCommunication – we are born to
learn through communication!
OxygenWaterFoodClothing and shelterCommunication – we are born to
learn through communication!
3SPACESHIP EARTH part 1
ENERGY: Our spaceship has an energy budget that depends upon the sun. The supply is not unlimited but it is very large.
WATER: Our spaceship has a limited amount of water that is in continuous circulation.
ENERGY: Our spaceship has an energy budget that depends upon the sun. The supply is not unlimited but it is very large.
WATER: Our spaceship has a limited amount of water that is in continuous circulation.
4SPACESHIP EARTH part 2
8SPACESHIP EARTH part 2
Atmosphere 0.013
Oceans: 1370
Ice caps: 29Groundwater: 9.5
Lakes: 0.125Rivers: 0.125
0.43 0.40
STORAGE: 106 km3
FLOW: 106 km3/year
How many passengers now? In 2040?
Where are they located? Are they well-behaved? Passenger satisfaction in the
‘good old days’ What’s next for the Biosphere?
How many passengers now? In 2040?
Where are they located? Are they well-behaved? Passenger satisfaction in the
‘good old days’ What’s next for the Biosphere?
9SPACESHIP EARTH part 2
10SPACESHIP EARTH part 2
CONTINENT 2010 (Bn) 2050 (Bn)
Africa 1.03 (15%) 2.00 (22%)
Asia 4.17 (60%) 5.23 (57%)
Europe 0.73 (11%) 0.69 (8%)
Latin America
0.59 (9%) 0.73 (8%)
N America 0.35 (5%) 0.45 (5%)
Oceania 0.04 (1%) 0.05 (1%)
WORLD 6.91 (100%) 9.15 (100%)
13SPACESHIP EARTH part 2
Year Urban_pop (M)
Frac of total
World_pop (B)
1900 220 13 % 1.7
1950 732 29 % 2.5
2005 3,200 49 % 6.5
2010 3,400 50+ % 6.7
2050 (est) 6,000+ 67 % 9.0 (est)
Urbanization pressure is intense, because the total population is growing and a larger fraction of people want to live in cities.
14SPACESHIP EARTH part 2
1. Tokyo-Yokohama, Japan 33,200,0002. New York, United States 17,800,0003. Sao Paulo, Brazil 17,700,0004. Seoul-Incheon, S.Korea 17,500,0005. Mexico City, Mexico 17,400,0006. Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto,Japan 16,425,0007. Manila, Philippines 14,750,0008. Mumbai, India 14,350,0009. Jakarta, Indonesia 14,250,000
10. Lagos, Nigeria 13,400,000
15SPACESHIP EARTH part 2
1. Tokyo-Yokohama, Japan 37,300,0002. Mumbai, India 26,000,0003. Delhi,India 25,800,0004. Dhaka,Bangladesh 22,000,0005. Mexico City, Mexico 21,800,0006. Sao Paolo, Brazil 21,600,0007. Lagos,Nigeria 21,500,0008. Jakarta,Indonesia 20,800,0009. New York,US 20,400,000
10. Karachi,Pakistan 18,900,000
No-one has yet found the manual for operating the
spaceship on behalf of all creatures.
No-one has yet found the manual for operating the
spaceship on behalf of all creatures.
21SPACESHIP EARTH part 1
The biosphere is a thin shell …providing all basic human life-
support needs.Annual cycles – energy, water –
play critical roles.We live in urban environments
in increasing numbers.
The biosphere is a thin shell …providing all basic human life-
support needs.Annual cycles – energy, water –
play critical roles.We live in urban environments
in increasing numbers.
22SPACESHIP EARTH part 2