Rohan Harrison

Background

About Rohan Harrison

For most of human history, humanity has used nature’s services—to build cities and roads, provide food and create products, and absorb the CO2 generated by human activities—at a rate that was well within Earth’s budget. But sometime in the 1970s, we crossed a critical threshold. Human demand began outstripping what the planet could renewably produce, and we went into ecological overshoot. Today, humanity is using the equivalent of just over 1.6 Earth’s worth of ecological resources and services. If current trends continue unchanged, we are on track to require the resources of two planets well before mid-century. In 2010 we used 50 % more in resources than the earth could produce in that year? Humanity has surpassed nature’s budget for the year, and is now operating in overdraft, according to data from Global Footprint Network What is the significance of this to our landscape? Well, our landscapes are comprised of Plants. And this is an area of nature that most of us have direct interaction with and ultimately can influence. Therefore, it is paramount that we embrace attitudes that enhance the functions of our landscapes to secure resources for our future existence. Let’s start promoting how our trees, turf, landscapes and green infrastructures’ importance can help our well being rather than the cosmetic or aesthetic values only. Let us showcase our commitment to increase awareness of the need to reduce our ecological footprint and to promote “green initiatives” and “green building” concepts.