Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Biosphere - WBGU

Impact loops as core elements of syndromes
C 2
The global impact loops described in the last sections,
ie closed chains of action in the biosphere-centred
network of interrelations, show why a harmful
change within the biosphere cannot be viewed separately
from the trends that are associated with it. Furthermore,
impact loops illustrate in a special way the
dynamics of these frequently self-reinforcing developments.
In a regional consideration it can be seen that the
global impact loops as a whole or as essential
sequences are elements of syndromes (Box C 2-1).
Syndromes link certain regional forms of environmental
damage with their specific causes. They
reflect typical combinations of harmful people-environment
interactions that can be seen all over the
world and, in their entirety, form the basic patterns of
global change (WBGU, 1994, 1997). Syndromes are
characterized by their trans-sectoral character, ie the
problems take effect across the borders of individual
sectors (eg industry, biosphere, population) or environmental
media (eg soil, water) but always have a
direct or indirect relationship to natural resources.
The syndromes are given global relevance when in
their entirety they modify the character of the Earth
System and thus have a direct or indirect noticeable
influence on the foundations of life for a majority of
people or when globally coordinated action is
required to overcome the problems.
Each of these syndromes (or ‘global diseases’)
represents a human-induced interlinked effect with
very specific environmental stresses. It is thus an
independent environmental degradation pattern, ie
one that is largely separate from the other syndromes.
Syndromes are characterized by a geographical
patchwork structure. If each syndrome would be
assigned a specific colour with several degrees of
intensity, the overlaying of the syndromes then would
provide a meaningful picture of the environmental
and developmental state of the Earth.
Box C 2-1
Overview of the syndromes of Global Change
Overutilization syndromes
1. Overcultivation of marginal land: Sahel Syndrome.
2. Overexploitation of natural ecosystems: Overexploitation
Syndrome.
3. Environmental degradation through structural changes
in traditional cultivation methods: Rural Exodus Syndrome.
4. Non-sustainable agro-industrial use of soils and waters:
Dust Bowl Syndrome.
5. Environmental degradation through extraction of nonrenewable
resources: Katanga Syndrome.
6. Environmental degradation through developing and
reshaping natural regions for tourism: Tourism Syndrome.
7. Environmental degradation through military use:
Scorched Earth Syndrome.
Development syndromes
8. Mismanaged or failed large-scale projects with targeted
reshaping of the environment: Aral Sea Syndrome.
9. Environmental degradation caused by transfer of locally
inappropriate agricultural production methods: Green
Revolution Syndrome.
10. Environmental degradation resulting from high-speed
economic growth: Asian Tigers Syndrome.
11. Urbanization and environmentally harmful behaviour
in human settlements: Favela Syndrome.
12. Urban sprawl and spread of infrastructure as a characteristic
of environmentally harmful agglomeration: Suburbia
Syndrome.
13. Local, singular industrial disasters with long-term
effects: Major Accident Syndrome.
Disposal syndromes
14. Environmental problems with disposal by diluting pollutants
in the air and water: Smokestack Syndrome.
15. Environmental problems with disposal by compacting
and landfilling waste substances: Waste Dumping Syndrome.
16. Environmental degradation by local contamination,
waste accumulation and contaminated sites: Contaminated
Land Syndrome.