Megatrend 7: ENVIRONMENTAL degradation

ENVIRONMENTALdegradation

By Anders Lindgren

Did you know? We are eating awayour own natural life support systems

As a species,we have much to bePROUD OF

… builtwonders

of the world

… landedon the moon

We have

… almost put a stop

to wars

… close toeliminated

child mortality

… tamedwild beasts

Climbing and clawing our way to be the top rung of the food chain

We have wonthe evolutionaryARMS RACE

In fact, we have

OVERRUNWe have cut down forest,drained swamps, dammed rivers, flooded plains, laid railroads and built skyscrapingmegacities

the planet

Our colonization of the planet has been a disaster for plants and wildlife

The bad news is that weDESTROY NATUREin the process

Historical records makes Homo sapiens look like an ecological serial killer.”

– YUVAL NOAH HARARI,professor of history, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and author of the international bestseller Sapiens, A Brief History of Humankind.

All the expertsgive us the sameMESSAGE

United Nations (IPCC), World Resources Institute,NASA, IUCN and WWF

The scale of damageto the natural ecosystemsthat are vital to our livesIS ALARMING

Up to 25% of the world’s food production may become lost due to environmental breakdown by 2050 unless action is taken.”

– UNEP, (United Nations Environment Programme)

More than 80% of the natural forests that once covered the Earth, have been destroyed.”

– World Resource Institute,Global Forests Resources Assessment 2015

Over the past few hundred years, humans have increased the species extinction rate by as much as 1,000 times over background rates typical over the planet’s history.”

– World Resource Institute,Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Population sizes of vertebrate species -mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish - have declined by 52 % the last 40 years.”

– World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Living Planet Report 2014

Our planet has lost more than half of its creatures since 1970

IN SHORT:

and the terror ofthe ecosystem

THE MASTER OF THE PLANET

We have become

It’s time to remember a factthat’s so obvious IT’S EASY TO FORGET

We all depend onthe natural resourcesof this planet

for our livelihoods

THE FOODwe eat

THE WATERwe drink

THE AIRwe breathe

THE FUELwe use

THE TIMBERin our homes

THE FIBERSin our clothes

Are all products of Earths naturalECOSYSTEMS

So, let’s stopdestroyingNATURE

Treat naturalecosystemswith respect

Honouring nature will ensure our continued prosperity and well being

It’s allvery simple:

she will look afterNATURE,If we look after

US

Don’t miss the full reportGET INSIGHT into the trends that break all other trendsMegatrends are strong global forces affecting everything and all life on our planet. By viewing the world from a distance and over several centuries, there are 8 global forces of change that stand out. They are:

1. Population boom2. Rapid urbanization3. Ferocious consumption4. Technology rush5. Digital transformation6. Global connectedness7. Environmental degradation8. Wealth inequality

39,000 PEOPLE have already seen it at Slideshare. You’ll find it here: http://bit.ly/1M2Z9b2

About the authorHey, my name is Anders Lindgren. People who know me well, will label me as a content marketing specialist, digital pioneer, PR-veteran and futurist.I have two decades of experience as a marketing and communication director for some of the most renowned brands in the world, primarily PwC, AT&T and SopraSteria. Today, I work as partner for PLOT, a market strategy consulting firm, based in Oslo, Norway.Throughout my career I have been passionate about understanding the world around us, sharing insights and helping people and brands communicate in a way that makes them shine.

© 2016 Anders Lindgren.

The information in this guide is copyrighted. Sharing and copying is permitted only if the information remains unchanged and licensee "Anders Lindgren" is referred to as the source.

The information can not be published in print in any media without the prior consent of the copyright holder.

Text , design and illustrations : Anders Lindgren

Photos: © Adobe Stock, © Dreamstime

Typefaces : Myriad Pro , Myriad Pro Black and FFAD Matro