No abstract

The publication of Tony McMichael's Planetary Overload in 1993 crystallised the emerging nature of the human predicament and the urgent need for a shift in the behaviour of our species. McMichael wrote, 'It is just now becoming conceivable that within several generations the human species may face threats to its survival because of its disruption of Earth's life supporting ecosystems.' Since then, human actions have resulted in the crossing of a number of critical system boundaries on which continuing human life on the planet depends. The survival of our species now demands transformative change in the way we relate to and care for the ecosystems on which survival and well-being depend. Global understanding of these matters has improved, while planetary overload has steadily worsened. We are going backwards, heading into eco-catastrophe, and we have succumbed to the psychological defence of denial. A change in the human mindset and in governance of the human economy will be needed to rescue us. We must now invest renewed efforts into the education of our young on the issue of ecocentrism and sustainability.

No abstract