engineering the biosphere

Sarah GainesDivision of Ecological and Earth SciencesUnited Nations Education Science and Culture Organization

©Amazonas Images

Today, the World Network of Biosphere Reserves

comprises 531 sites in 105 countries

function role Bodies and Tools Sponsors

research scientific studies

Earth S

ystem S

cience Partnership

(ES

SP

)

IGBPInternational Geosphere Biosphere Programme

ICSU

DiversitasInternational Programme of Biodiversity Science

ICSU, IUBS, UNESCO, SCOPE

WCRPWorld Climate Research Programme

ICSU, WMO, IOC/UNESCO

IHDP

International Human Dimensions Programme

ICSU, ISSC

monitoring Compilation of research over time

GE

OS

S

GTOS, GEOS, GCOS, GEO-BONTerrestrial, Earth, Climate, Biodiversity Observing Systems

UNESCO amongst many

assessments to assist policy and transfer bodies of knowledge to decision makers

IPCC (active)

IPBES Intergovernmental Panel on

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (proposed)

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (complete, but follow-up strategy developed)

UNESCO amongst many

Intergovernmental activities on the science of global environmental change

Biosphere Reserve

model

The International Geosphere Biosphere Network

IGBP project frameworkEarth System

Ocean Dynamics

Land

Atmospheric Chemistry

Land Ecosystem-Atmosphere Processes

Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem

Land-Ocean Interactions

Past Global Changes

Surface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere

Society

Economics

Ethics

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Framework

Globally connected world relying strongly on environmentally sound technology, using highly managed, often engineered, ecosystems to deliver ecosystem services, and taking a proactive approach to the management of ecosystems in an effort to avoid problems.

TechnoGarden

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Scenario:

Mitigation

• Water Management• Indigenous Knowledge• Agriculture – including biofuels and food

security

Adaptation

• Renewable Energy• Bio-sequestration and Conservation• Ocean Carbon Sequestration

Ifugao Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

“Adaptation to climate change is not a technical challenge but one that involves

society in its broadest sense.”

Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, chair of the IPCC to UNESCO’s Executive Board 2 Oct 2007

Rock formations with high potential for CO2 Storage. Several of these potential sites are offshore.

Source: IPCC Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage and the IEA Greenhouse Gas Research and Development Programme.