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An attainable global vision for conservation and human well‐being
Author(s) -
Tallis Heather M,
Hawthorne Peter L,
Polasky Stephen,
Reid Joseph,
Beck Michael W,
Brauman Kate,
Bielicki Jeffrey M,
Binder Seth,
Burgess Matthew G,
Cassidy Emily,
Clark Adam,
Fargione Joseph,
Game Edward T,
Gerber James,
Isbell Forest,
Kiesecker Joseph,
McDonald Robert,
Metian Marc,
Molnar Jennifer L,
Mueller Nathan D,
O'Connell Christine,
Ovando Daniel,
Troell Max,
Boucher Timothy M,
McPeek Brian
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
frontiers in ecology and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.918
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1540-9309
pISSN - 1540-9295
DOI - 10.1002/fee.1965
Subject(s) - overfishing , ecoregion , greenhouse gas , natural resource economics , biome , climate change , environmental resource management , global warming , environmental science , geography , environmental planning , environmental protection , ecology , economics , ecosystem , fishing , biology
A hopeful vision of the future is a world in which both people and nature thrive, but there is little evidence to support the feasibility of such a vision. We used a global, spatially explicit, systems modeling approach to explore the possibility of meeting the demands of increased populations and economic growth in 2050 while simultaneously advancing multiple conservation goals. Our results demonstrate that if, instead of “business as usual” practices, the world changes how and where food and energy are produced, this could help to meet projected increases in food (54%) and energy (56%) demand while achieving habitat protection (>50% of natural habitat remains unconverted in most biomes globally; 17% area of each ecoregion protected in each country), reducing atmospheric greenhouse‐gas emissions consistent with the Paris Climate Agreement (≤1.6°C warming by 2100), ending overfishing, and reducing water stress and particulate air pollution. Achieving this hopeful vision for people and nature is attainable with existing technology and consumption patterns. However, success will require major shifts in production methods and an ability to overcome substantial economic, social, and political challenges.