ABSTRACT

To date, the 21st century has been a time of environmental firsts. Reports predict that 2016 will be the hottest year on record, 1 and scientists indicate that the earth has crossed four of nine “planetary boundaries” – the limits within which humanity can live sustainably. 2 The earth’s atmosphere has now passed the threshold of 400 ppm of carbon dioxide, 3 and the first species of mammal has gone extinct due to human-induced climate change. 4 Meanwhile, the global population continues to soar, projected to reach 9.7 billion by the year 2050. 5 We have undeniably reached the Anthropocene – the “Age of the Human” – with devastating implications for the sustainability of life on earth.