Report on Human Impact in the Anthropocene and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: The Anthropocene Epoch

The current geological age, termed the Anthropocene, is characterized by the profound and accelerating impact of human activity on Earth’s ecosystems. Originating approximately 200 years ago with the Industrial Revolution, this epoch presents unprecedented challenges to global sustainability. The evidence of this transformation necessitates a critical evaluation of human practices against the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Geological and Ecological Indicators of Unsustainable Development

Stratigraphic Evidence of Industrial Impact

Future geological strata will contain indelible markers of current human activities, highlighting significant deviations from sustainable practices. These indicators serve as a permanent record of our failure to meet key SDG targets.

• Radioactive Isotopes: Remnants from nuclear testing signify risks to global peace and environmental health, touching upon aspects of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
• Plastic Concentrations: Pervasive plastic pollution in rock layers demonstrates unsustainable production and consumption patterns, directly contravening SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and threatening SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
• Fossil Fuel Fallout: The atmospheric deposition from burning fossil fuels is a clear marker of our reliance on non-renewable energy, undermining progress towards SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
• Vast Cement Deposits: The proliferation of concrete in urban construction points to resource-intensive infrastructure development, posing challenges for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Critical Decline in Biodiversity

Data from the World Wide Fund for Nature and the British Zoological Society reveals a catastrophic 73% average decrease in wild animal populations over the last 50 years. This massive loss of biodiversity, driven by habitat destruction, represents a severe failure to achieve the targets of SDG 15 (Life on Land). This trend is intrinsically linked to unsustainable urbanization (SDG 11) and land use for production (SDG 12).

The Rise of Artificial Nature and its Implications for Sustainability

Urban Disconnection and Simulated Environments

Increasing urbanization (SDG 11) has led to a widespread human disconnection from the natural world. In response, a global industry has emerged to provide artificial, stage-managed, and commodified “natural” experiences. These simulations, while catering to a human desire for nature, often embody unsustainable practices.

• Theme Parks and Resorts: Facilities like Germany’s Tropical Islands resort and Disney’s Animal Kingdom create resource-intensive illusions of nature, such as indoor rainforests and safari experiences, which normalize artificiality over authentic conservation.
• Zoos and Commercial Enclosures: The display of animals like polar bears in shopping malls or in enclosures that are a minute fraction of their natural range raises critical ethical questions regarding SDG 15 and the humane treatment of animals.
• Climate-Defying Recreation: The existence of indoor ski slopes in desert climates, such as in Dubai, exemplifies a model of entertainment that is highly energy-intensive and fundamentally misaligned with SDG 7 and SDG 13.

Unsustainable Tourism and Consumption

This trend towards simulated nature promotes a model of tourism that is antithetical to the principles of sustainability. Such activities represent a failure to advance SDG 8 (Target 8.9), which calls for the promotion of sustainable tourism. The consumption patterns associated with these attractions are resource-depleting and contribute to the environmental degradation they claim to simulate, thus working against SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Commodification of Natural Spaces and Climate Change Impacts

Degradation of Protected Areas

Even authentic natural environments are being compromised by unsustainable tourism. The high volume of vehicle traffic in protected areas like Yosemite National Park leads to pollution and diminishes the ecological integrity of these vital habitats, undermining the conservation objectives of SDG 15.

Climate Change and Maladaptive Practices

The impacts of climate change, as outlined in SDG 13, are evident in the decreased length of snow seasons. The ski industry’s response—a heavy reliance on artificial snow production—is a maladaptive strategy. This practice is extremely energy-intensive, often powered by fossil fuels, thereby exacerbating climate change and working in opposition to both SDG 7 and SDG 13.

Conclusion and Pathway to Sustainable Coexistence

The Current State of Global Ecosystems

With only 3% of the world’s land remaining ecologically intact, the scale of the environmental crisis is clear. Humanity has become the primary force shaping the planet’s destiny but has failed to develop the ethical and scientific frameworks to manage this power responsibly. The result is a growing disconnect from the natural world, replaced by a preference for safe, predictable, and artificial spectacles.

Recommendations for Achieving the SDGs

A paradigm shift in priorities is essential. The solutions are known but require implementation at industrial and political levels. Achieving the 2030 Agenda requires a concerted effort to pursue the following actions:

1. Protect and Restore Ecosystems: Prioritize the protection of natural habitats, rewilding, and the ethical treatment of animals to meet the goals of SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
2. Promote Sustainable Systems: Implement sustainable agricultural practices (SDG 2) and transition to models of responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).
3. Advance Climate Action and Clean Energy: Aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and plastic pollution while accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources, in line with SDG 7 and SDG 13.
4. Foster Global Partnerships: The impetus for this change must come from industrial and political leaders who are committed to these goals, highlighting the critical importance of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The article highlights several critical environmental and social issues that directly connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article points to the impact of urbanization, noting that “Humans have concentrated in cities” and that future geologists will find “vast deposits of cement used to build our cities.” This connects to the goal of making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by highlighting the environmental footprint of urban expansion.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This goal is central to the article’s theme. It discusses the consequences of unsustainable human activity, such as the creation of “huge concentrations of plastics” and the “fallout from the burning of fossil fuels.” Furthermore, it critiques a consumption model based on artificial experiences, like theme parks and resorts that simulate nature (“We holiday on synthetic beaches… We ski on artificial slopes in Dubai”), which represents an unsustainable pattern of consumption and tourism.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article directly addresses climate change by mentioning the “fallout from the burning of fossil fuels” as a marker of the Anthropocene. It provides a concrete example of climate change’s impact: “the length of snow seasons in the northern hemisphere has decreased by five days each decade since the 1970s,” forcing ski resorts to rely on energy-intensive artificial snow production.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  While not the main focus, the article’s reference to “huge concentrations of plastics” is directly relevant to SDG 14, as plastic pollution is a primary threat to marine ecosystems. The mention of artificial “sea-worlds” also contrasts the commercial exploitation of marine life with its conservation.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This is the most prominently featured SDG. The article is replete with examples of the degradation of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity loss. It states that human activity is pushing “creatures and plants to extinction by removing their habitats,” leading to a catastrophic “average decrease of 73% of wild animal populations on Earth over the past 50 years.” It also notes that “Just 3% of the world’s land now remains ecologically intact.” The discussion on unethical tourism, such as “South African lion farms” for trophy hunting, further underscores the threats to life on land.

2. Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 12.b: Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.

   The article extensively critiques the current model of tourism, which is often unsustainable. Examples like “Yosemite national park in California receives more than 4 million visitors a year, almost all of whom arrive by car” and Italian ski resorts relying on artificial snow illustrate tourism with high environmental impacts, pointing to a failure to meet this target.

2. Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris…

   The article’s mention that future geologists will find “huge concentrations of plastics” in the rock strata directly relates to this target. Plastic is a major component of marine debris, and its pervasive presence signifies the scale of the pollution problem that this target aims to address.

3. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services…

   The article’s stark finding that “Just 3% of the world’s land now remains ecologically intact” demonstrates that this target is far from being met. The entire piece serves as a commentary on the failure to conserve and sustainably use terrestrial ecosystems.

4. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

   This target is directly addressed by the statistic cited from the World Wide Fund for Nature report, which shows an “average decrease of 73% of wild animal populations on Earth over the past 50 years.” This massive decline in wildlife is a clear measure of habitat degradation and biodiversity loss.

5. Target 15.7: Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products.

   The article provides a specific example related to this target by describing how “South African lion farms offer tourists the chance to pet lion cubs… Later these same animals will be sold to visiting trophy hunters.” This practice, often called ‘canned hunting,’ is a form of trafficking and exploitation of protected species.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Percentage decrease in wild animal populations:

  The statistic of an “average decrease of 73% of wild animal populations on Earth over the past 50 years” is a direct indicator for Target 15.5, measuring the rate of biodiversity loss.

• Percentage of ecologically intact land:

  The statement that “Just 3% of the world’s land now remains ecologically intact” is a powerful indicator for Target 15.1, measuring the extent of habitat degradation and the remaining area of healthy ecosystems.

• Rate of change in snow season length:

  The finding that “the length of snow seasons in the northern hemisphere has decreased by five days each decade since the 1970s” serves as a clear indicator of the impacts of climate change (SDG 13).

• Reliance on artificial environmental conditions for tourism:

  The fact that “In Italy, 87% of ski slopes were kept operational with artificial snow in 2018” is an indicator of unsustainable tourism practices (Target 12.b) and adaptation to climate change.

• Presence of pollutants in the geological record:

  The mention of “radioactive isotopes,” “huge concentrations of plastics,” and “fallout from the burning of fossil fuels” in rock strata serves as a qualitative, long-term indicator of widespread pollution, relevant to targets in SDG 12 and SDG 14.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theguardian.com