1)Amazon Rainforest – Deforestation, Carbon Cycle, Resilience & Tipping Points
Causes of Deforestation (Anthropogenic)
• cleared forest for cattle farming, loss of trees, less carbon absorption reducing carbon sinks,
increasing climate change. Global demand for soybean → anthropocentric to support human
agricultural needs by transporting soybeans
Infrastructure (e.g., BR-163 Highway):Roads open previously inaccessible areas → triggers logging
& settlement
Illegal Logging & Mining: Removes keystone species, disrupts nutrient cycles, increases soil
erosion.
Amazon used to be a carbon sink; parts now release more CO₂ than they absorb. Burning releases
carbon stored for centuries. Reduced transpiration lowers rainfall → drought → more fires
→ positive feedback loop. many species loses habitat and forest fragmentation reduces genetic
diversity (lowers resilience).
•f rainfall drops below 2,000 mm yearly, forest cannot regenerate. Scientists estimate Amazon is
approaching 20–25% deforestation threshold → irreversible shift to dry savanna.
2. Great Barrier Reef – Coral Bleaching (Climate Change + Ocean Acidification)
Rising Sea Surface Temperatures: Normal bleaching at +1°C above summer max. 2016–2017
heatwaves caused 93% of reefs to bleach. There is ocean acidification as CO₂ dissolves → carbonic
acid → lowers pH. Corals struggle to calcify → structural weakness → lower resilience. Fertilisers
and pesticides from farms lead to algal overgrowth → competes with corals. Corals get hot push out
algae that feed them-> lose colour+ energy source, fishes loses their habitat, fewer fish → lower
biodiversity.
3) Aral Sea -Collapse of a Major Lake (Mismanagement of Water)
Soviet irrigation diverted Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers for cotton., Water extraction massively
exceeded inflow. Aral Sea shrank and became saltier by ~90% since 1960. Salinity increased → fish
species died → collapse of fisheries. Soil beds were also ruined and harmful toxins released into air
caused dust storms with salt + pesticides → land degradation. Fishing towns abandoned, Respiratory
illness rates increased due to toxic dust.
Technocentric: Dam canals (2005) raised water levels in North Aral Sea.
Modern irrigation (drip irrigation) reduces water consumption.
Anthropocentric: Shift from cotton → wheat in Kazakhstan. International aid for restoration.
Ecocentric: Wetland restoration attempts around North Aral.
Mercury poisoning in Japan (1932-1968)- Japanese corporation discharged methyl/mercury into bay
water (made production faster and cheaper) accumulated in fish and biomagnified as the
concentration increased at each trophic level. Humans consumed contaminated seafood and had
poisoning. This lead to a Minamata disease with neurological damage and children were born with it
too. Mercury stored in sediments led to long term contamination, fish populations declined leading to
ecosystem instability. Wastewater treatement using activated carbon and dredging of mercury
sediments. Anthropocentric view caused disaster (profit>people) ecocentric+technocentric helped in
restoration of mercury free processes
-action only occurred when human health was threatened, came after industrial profit.
Amsterdam (doughnut economics): in 2020, Amsterdam became the first city to adopt this model
by balancing housing, food, education and outer ring factors such as pollution and biodiversity loss.
Policies were included such as reusing building materials, car free zones to reduce emissions, energy
low buildings and local food systems. Mix of eccentric (planetary boundaries)+ anthropocentric
(social foundation) through green technology and smart sensors.
Sweden (circular economy): Sweden recycles over 99% of household waste. Waste to energy plants
generate electricity and heat, deposit return systems for bottles and minimal landfill use, lower
greenhouse gas emotions and more green jobs in recycling and repair sectors.
Bhutan 60% forest cover law (ecocentric): constitutional law that 60% of the country must remain
covered by forests. Believes that protecting forests for their spiritual and culture importance and
future generations by maintaining ecosystem serves like clean air, water, and biodiversity and
protecting species. Bhutan absorbs more co2 than it emits because of its huge forest, these forests act
like major carbon sinks, maintain strong ecosystem resilience. Supports GNH by keeping nature
central to well being and use of mapping technology to monitor forest health. Healthy forests support
hydropower and tourism (human benefits)
Fridays for Future (Environmental Movement – Climate Activism)
Fridays for Future is a global youth-led climate movement started by Greta Thunberg in 2018, when
she began striking from school every Friday to demand stronger climate action. The movement grew
worldwide, with millions of students protesting to pressure governments to reduce carbon emissions,
follow the Paris Agreement, and shift to renewable energy. This movement reflects an ecocentric and
anthropocentric mix—ecocentric because it focuses on protecting the planet, and anthropocentric
because the goal is to secure a safe future for humans.