EnviroLink Forum

I should first disclose that I already posted this question here


but received no replies

So my question is : how integrated the global ecosystem is. For example, if 99% of the planet were so polluted it were rendered mostly uninhabitable, would it be possible for 1 % to be an independent ecologically pristine oases? (Presumably a place where humans could still live and be healthy).

If things get really bad, could we set up ecologically pristine "Arks" around the world where humans and other life could go on living separate from the devastation?

Air and water pollution would not be easily isolated from such small percentages of the areas of no pollution. This would also tend to add pollution to the soil in the form of changed pH in the soil or added soluble air pollution from rain coming into the area.

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“Intellect is invisible to the man who has none”
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"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits."
Albert Einstein

An extremely lush area should be able to filter things out to a degree (even air and rain pollution)- perhaps a better question would be what percentage of the planet must remain pristine in order to ensure healthy, dignified human survival?

Filtering out pollution would be adding the pollution to the ecosystem because it is not being destroyed, just trapped. A small percentage of "pristine" cannot be found anywhere on the planet now. Air pollution has spread itself from the surface to the edge of space and from pole to pole. Water pollution covers the planets waters as well. The pH of the oceans are moving to more acidic. The "pristine" definition is now changed to just the least polluted.

_________________
With friends like Guido, you will not have enemies for long.

“Intellect is invisible to the man who has none”
Arthur Schopenhauer

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits."
Albert Einstein