Dear Colleagues:

It seems to me that the issue of anthropogenic influences on climate change is one of understanding.  There are many aspects to this but it can be somewhat simplified.  If it is however too simplified then the meaning can be lost.

I have been pursuing my PhD on this subject and am beginning to be able to explain certain things.  These thoughts may be important for you and your readers.  The following ideas are excerpted from my Thesis.

We need to consider the baseline.  Is the baseline today?  Is the baseline at the beginning of settled agriculture (approx. 10,000 years ago – disputed by some/ earliest settlements perhaps 40,000 years) or is the baseline a moving target?   In my research I consider the Earth’s Ecosystem as having reached a dynamic equilibrium before the emergence of human beings.   This means that we can study geologic and evolutionary trends that led to such an outcome.  Then we can look at the emergence of human beings and what their impact has been on these systems.

In a nutshell.  The timeline and impact seems to have been.

• Formation of the Earth
  

• Geologic and Evolutionary time leading to dynamic equilibrium with surface of the earth completely colonized by plants and animals. Livable atmosphere created by photosynthesis scrubbing carbon and returning oxygen at precise levels that maintain temperature, humidity and breathable air for mammals in symbiosis with all other life forms. (read deep ecology)
  

• Emergence of human beings – leading to eventual dominance of species.  (read Darwin)
  

• Cultural, Scientific, Artistic, Economic, Extractive, Consumptive, Militant, Development of human civilization and society.  (Main focus of human thought and action – read human history)
  

• Biodiversity Loss as an unintended outcome of human development.  (observable worldwide)
  

• Reduction of Biomass as an almost inevitable outcome of biodiversity loss (scientifically arguable – it may be possible to maintain biomass without biodiversity but why?  Also if biodiversity is lost there is greater loss than simply reduction of biomass)
  

• The Reduction of Biomass means that gas exchange – the absorption of C02 and production of Oxygen by plants (in symbiosis with animals) is an inevitable outcome.
  

• The Reduction of accumulated organic matter (necromass) is an inevitable outcome of the reduction of biomass.
  

• The Reduction of organic matter leads to inevitable loss of soil fertility (can be partially mitigated with chemical fertilizers but not completely)
  

• The reduction of biodiversity, biomass and accumulated organic matter necessarily leads to loss of microclimates, to temperature differentials, to changes in soil moisture and relative humidity.
  

• The reduction of biodiversity, biomass and accumulated organic matter necessarily also leads to the reduction of infiltration and retention of rainfall in situ.  This seems to be the indicator and determinant of sustainability.
  

• Predictable outcomes from the alteration of these systemic functions are:  Flooding, Mudslides, Drought, Dust storms, Desertification, Increased Temperatures, Increased Incidence of Extreme Weather Events, Climate Change.
  

I have been following this line of inquiry since 1995.  There are results.  It is possible to restore ecosystem function to large-scale areas where it has been lost.  It is possible to restore perennial stream flows in places that have seen water flowing only in the rainy season even for long periods.  This can happen within a few years time.  It is possible to re-vegetate areas of land that have been denuded over long periods and large areas.  The lives of hundreds of millions and even billions of people now living in poverty at the edges of large degraded ecosystems can be completely changed by understanding that ecosystem dysfunction includes carbon disequilibrium and valuing the land and the people.  We are envisioning “Integrated Poverty Eradication and Large-Scale Ecosystem Rehabilitation” to address human impact on Climate Change as well as addressing poverty, disparity, food insecurity, desertification, biodiversity loss, migration, conflict and more.

If you are interested please contact me.  If you use these thoughts in your writing it is honest and courteous to attribute the source.

Personally, I do not find this boring.  It is fascinating and understandable and I think that the people worldwide can understand and appreciate this.  It suggests certain courses of action that will restore equilibrium to the Earth’s ecosystems.  Everyone on earth has a role to play and everyone’s efforts make a difference.

It is important to note that one of the findings from this research is that “Human activity without ecological understanding leads to ecosystem collapse”, which suggests that not only is this interesting but this is crucial if we want to ensure that future generations are able to have a sustainable future.

John D. Liu

Patrick John D. Liu