GEO-5 perspectivas de medio ambiente mundial

This fifth Global Environment Outlook (GEO-5) assessment report is a product of the strong dedication and extraordinary investment of numerous individuals, whose knowledge, expertise and insight helped shape this important body of work. UNEP acknowledges the contributions made by many governments, individuals and institutions to the preparation and publication of this report. A full list of names of individuals and institutions involved in the assessment process is included.

The Earth System provides the basis for all human societies and their economic activities. People need clean air to breathe, safe water to drink, healthy food to eat, energy to produce and transport goods, and natural resources that provide the raw materials for all these services. However, the 7 billion humans alive today are collectively exploiting the Earth’s resources at accelerating rates and intensities that surpass the capacity of its systems to absorb wastes and neutralize the adverse effects on the environment. In fact, the depletion or degradation of several key resources has already constrained conventional development in some parts of the world. Within the Earth System – which acts as a single, self-regulating system comprised of physical, chemical, biological and human components – the effects of human activities can be detected at a planetary scale (Chapter 7). These have led scientists to define a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene, based on evidence that atmospheric, geological, hydrological, biological and other Earth System processes are being altered by human activity. The most readily recognized changes include a rise in global temperatures and sea levels, and ocean acidification, all associated with the increase in emissions of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide and methane (Chapters 2 and 4). Other human-induced changes include extensive deforestation and land clearance for agriculture and urbanization, causing species
extinctions as natural habitats are destroyed (Chapters 3 and 5).

Indice de "GEO-5 perspectivas de medio ambiente mundial".

Acknowledgements
Foreword
Preface
Introduction

I. STATE AND TRENDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT

1. Drivers
2. Atmosphere
3. Land
4. Water
5. Biodiversity
6. Chemicals and Waste
7. An Earth System Perspective
8. Review of Data Needs

II.  POLICY OPTIONS

1. Africa
2. Asia and the Pacific
3. Europe
4. Latin America and the Caribbean
5. North America
6. West Asia
7. Regional Summary

III. GLOBAL RESPONSES

1. Scenarios and Sustainability Transformation
2. Global Responses

The GEO-5 Process
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Contributors
Glossary
Index