:Green Issues in Design
Appendix IX
"marine plastic pollution as an emerging Anthropocene risk.
Human activities are capable of changing the normal functioning of
Earth-system processes in ways that amplify risks to societies worldwide. One
of the most conspicuous anthropogenic activities is the manufacturer, use and
disposal of plastic. This synthetic material is so widespread throughout the
environment that plastic is now considered as a geographical maker of the
Anthropocene, the emerging epoch in which humans activities have a decisive influence
on the state, dynamics and future of the Earth system. Most plastics took of
rapidly since the 1950's, shaping the development of modern society. Global
production of plastic resin increased from 1.5 million tons in 1950's, to 322
million tons in 2015.Estimates are during 2010, between 4.8 and 12.7 million
tons of mismanaged land based plastic waste entered the oceans. The absolute
amount is difficult to calculate, due to the many different sources and
environmental transport pathways, but marine plastic pollution(MPP) is now
ubiquitous in marine environment."(journal: marine Policywww.elsvier.com/locate/marpol
). " From a stratigraphic perspective, there is a clear
Anthropocene threshold between pre-plastic and post plastic systems, but for a
chemical pollutant to pose a planetary boundary threat,it's environmental
exposure and /or its disruptive effects must be poorly reversible. Marine
plastic pollution will always fulfil this condition, as the ultimate end-fate
of most mismanaged plastics is the ocean. The ubiquity of plastic debris
and the feasibility of its substantial removal from the marine environment, especially
in the case of micro- sized particles , mean that exposure is essentially
irreversible. Recent estimates suggest the presence of a least 5 trillion
plastic pieces floating in the oceans. Plastic material has been observed in
most domains of the physical environment, including biosphere, cryosphere's,
ocean sediments and even the atmosphere, to the extent that lately been
considered a stratigraphic marker of Anthropocene. MPP is accumulating around
the convergence zones in the five subtropical ocean gyres and the Artic Ocean.
These large-scale accumulation zones are a consequence of the effects of winds,
oceans surface currents and the thermohaline circulation. Furthermore,
concentrations comparable to those in the subtropical gyres have been recorded
close to highly populated areas such as the Mediterranean Sea, bay of Bengal,
South China Sea and gulf of Mexico. Organisms ingesting and later egesting MPP
also play a role in the global distribution of plastic particles. The
biological pathway cannot be halted or reversed. The weathering of
macroplastics is a major source of the microsized plastic particles currently
present in the marine environment.The main mechanisms for this are degradation
by mechanical wave action,UV photodegradation, and changing genetic diversity.
These properties cannot be inactivated.
Recent studies also highlight the importance of land-based breakdown of textile fibres as a source of microplastic. Thus , even if inputs of microplastic debris in the marine environment will inevitably continue to increase with an associated outlook of shifting exposure and complex effects on different ecosystems. A major uncertainty relates to the disruption of systemic connections between the physical and the living components of the Earths system. Here carbon sequestration illustrates the issues because the global carbon cycle is one of the biophysical foundations of the earth system. It links ocean processes with the atmosphere, biosphere, and terrestrial environment and plays a vital role in balancing the climate system. Mechanisms can be envisaged where MPP affects the ability of the oceans to sequester carbon into the major global reservoirs of deep water bodies and ocean sediments,biological and physiciochemical means.
The consequences on the carbon cycle would only be detectable on a global scale, and after a considerable time lag. A biologically-mediated disruption to the long-term storage of carbon could occur if biological processes at the base of the ecosystem functions are altered because of the presence of plastic. MPP could alter marine populations through booms or collapses, including the extinction of keystone species. MPP may also have the capacity to cause a biophysically-mediated disruption. The flux faecal pellets is an important component of the biological pump of carbon(including anthropogenic atmospheric carbon) to ocean sediments. Microparticles of polystyrene alter the properties and sinking rates of faecal pellets egested by marine zooplankton. Particulate material could thus interfere with the flow of carbon nutrients in the water column, affecting the regulation of global biogeochemical flows in turn affecting the future trophic chains. The physical burial of plastic materials may also represent a shift in long term carbon storage, since it does not share the element ratio of living material. Recent estimates for the marine plastic debris range from between 86 and 150 million tons of plastic. A large fraction of the plastic known to of entered the surface ocean is not currently accounted for. It is ultimate fate is to be deposited(directly or through the biota) onshore or on the sea floor."
"MPP is a globally sustainability challenge, a clear example of the
tragedy of commons, difficult to manage and govern globally. Plastic waste is
being addressed by multinational frameworks." (journal
homepage:www.elsevier.com).
Eco Evo:Green Issues
Images of MA Show and MA Journal.
By Victoria Meadows
MA Design : Dissertation
History of Conservation of Nature
The beginning
of conservation and respect for nature can be seen through history starting
from early history of mankind when nature’s wildlife and seasons were
incorporated into early religions i.e Sun gods, sacrifices to improve weather
changes and harvests. Customs and ancient ceremonies to pay homage to the
earth’s natural surroundings can be seen through different cultures around the
world.
Specific laws
were created in medieval times to protect woodland for the pleasure of nobility
and royals. After the Norman conquest large areas of land were annexed using
forest laws.
Some of the
first conservation areas of the early medieval period were granted mainly so
that landowners and royalty could hunt freely. Knowing there would not be any
depletion of game in their private woods by making it illegal to poach on the
kings lands
Forest laws
were extended in the 18th century called the black law, hanging
people for encroaching on to Royal hunting grounds. These laws extended to
overseas colonies of which the remnants are used to create conservation areas
today. Re wilding is a relatively old theory which is being used today to
create new Natural areas of land to help reach drawdown to prevent global warming
Conservation needs of today go far more than previously has ever seen. Individuals can become a movement of people activism, campaigning and demanding change through group discussions and using the world web. I have challenged this theory through my blog "NaturesArmour,blogspot.com and through my dissemination I added my blog to social media, it is also currently life on line. I have received enough feedback to increase my page reviews by adding to community blogsites to increase awareness of climate change, lifestyle choices and green design strategies within design.
Environmental Impact of
Humans
Historically
humans have been having an impact on our environment since evolution evolved
our planet and homo Sapiens became the super power race against most predators.
When as hunters and gathers humans started to farm and domesticate animals we
can see climate change being effected by mankind’s lifestyle.
During the late
19th century within Industrial Revolution a number of Artists and
critics voiced their concerns. In regard to pollution. (“If only the geologists
would let me alone, I could do very well, but those dreadful Hammer’s! I hear
the dink of them at the end of every cadence of the Bible verses”.(John Ruskin,
letter to Henry Acland 1851).
As the textile designer, poet and social activist William Morris explains the need that "Nature and History Morris asserted were, or at least ought to be, the two great teachers of mankind. This statement shows in part Morris's environmentist values and is connected to the pre-Raphaelite art movement that includes the aesthetic movement. His hatred for the industrial revolution is well documented. When researching textile history we can see great changes during the industrial revolution created by Britain's technical innovations resulting in social change.
Textile Technologies/Handmade
Within the twentieth and twenty-first century we are seeing new transformations of design, manufacture and consumer interaction. As it is explained in The Handbook of Textile Culture "In a post-industrial culture the artisanal, material cultures once marginalized as lacking the authority of symbolic meaning, or the capacity for abstract thinking, are becoming reconsidered as a source of knowledge. Integrating the techne-technique and technologies of manufacturer by hand and machine". A new collaboration of the old and the new, techniques, philosophies and theories of knowledge.
Design Choices and
Lifestyle Issues
“The Romantic
movement which included aestheticism were protesting over the destruction of
idyllic rural life for a world of dark Satanic Mills written in William Blake’s
1804 poem.” (Lewis and Maslin.2018.206). One of the earliest environmental
needs based action campaigns was created by the artist/poet Sir William Blake.
He started an organization called the coal smoke abatement society which was
founded in Richmond in 1898 which resulted in the smoke abatement Act including
soot, ash and gritty particles.
Another well
known campaign that ended in a riot was in Nottinghamshire when “artisanal
textile workers broke machines to defend their wages against further declines.
Known as the Luddites they began in Arnold, Nottingham, on 11th
March 1811, with over two thousand people marching and then smashing
sixty-eight spinning frames”.(Lewis and Maslin,2018.206).
Scientific revolution
sprung into the new industrial world. An example of this is when in 1824 Joseph
Aspdin patented a chemical process known as Portland cement which has since
revolutionized building techniques. Electricity, the invention of the light
bulb and the use of fossil fuels have contributed to today’s global warming.
A lot of new
knowledge came out of the 19th century including Darwin’s theory of
evolution which set religious philosophy against scientists in fact Darwin did
not publish his papers due to concerns via ridicule from religious leaders.
Carbon Dioxide Spike
Scientists are working across the globe
researching how environmental strategies
across the globe are being carried out in order to keep current and develop new emerging
techniques to reverse global warming.
 |
http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence(14.08.2019 3.00pm)this graph is based on the comparison of atmospheric samples contained in ice cores and more recent direct measurements, provides evidence that atmospheric C02, has increased since the industrial revolution.
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Ocean Theme
Oceans and sea
creatures have been depicted within art and design since ancient Greeks and
Romans and other ancient cultures, tribes and religions. I have chosen to use
oceans, wildlife, natural flora, nautical imagery as my focus in order to
improve knowledge of conservation and marine ecology of our oceans. The oceans contain a huge variety of life recent estimations conclude their are up to 2 million species found in and around coral reefs, the sea produces around half of all oxygen we breath( thanks to phytoplankton, tiny single cell ocean plants). The ocean also sequences large amounts of dangerous carbon dioxide. The ocean regulates our climate, cool waters soak up heat from the sun, they are a big part of our life support system. It is estimated that that 8 million tonnes of plastic waste is dumped in our oceans and it is set to double by 2025
Environmentalists
Ocean biologist
Jacque Cousteau (1910-1997) was an inspiration when I was growing up and also
for many people interested in ocean environmental and conservation issues.
Recently Jaques
Cousteau’s grandson has been part of a series of documentaries highlighting
environmental and conservation issues of our planets oceans. He specializes in
oceanography which is looking into scientific aspects of our oceans to better
understand what is happening due to pollution and global warming issues.
His grandson has recently
also highlighted concerns in regard to melting ice gaps in Antarctica and has
explained present forecasts are not accurate.
This graph by Nasa on line shows up to date figures going back to 1979.
A clip from CNN News on Jacque Cousteau
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