Welcome! Today, we’re diving into an intriguing concept known as the “Great Acceleration.” This term describes the rapid increase in human activities and their impact on the planet, often illustrated by the “hockey stick graph.” This graph shows a sharp rise in Earth’s temperature over recent decades, resembling the shape of a hockey stick. However, this pattern isn’t limited to temperature alone; it can also be seen in other areas such as plastic production, extinction rates, ocean pollution from fertilizers, fish harvesting, global population growth, and energy consumption. Essentially, many aspects of human activity can be represented by hockey stick graphs, highlighting their exponential growth.
The Great Acceleration marks a significant shift in the scale and intensity of human activities. For most of human history, changes were gradual. Imagine someone falling asleep in the year 1020 and waking up 200 years later; they would notice only slight differences, such as a small increase in population and similar lifestyles, primarily reliant on wood for heat and animals for power. During this period, humans were not a dominant force on the planet.
Fast forward to the present, and the scenario is dramatically different. If someone fell asleep in 1820 and woke up today, they would find a world with a population seven times larger, people living 2.5 times longer, and a reliance on various fuels that significantly impact the climate. Today, humans are a major planetary force.
The upward curve of the hockey stick graph is largely attributed to the unprecedented use of fossil fuels since the 1800s. Initially, this growth was concentrated in North America and Europe. However, the global Great Acceleration truly took off after World War II and the independence movements in Africa and Asia, as more people gained access to these fuels, new agricultural technologies, and public health advancements.
As a result, our world today—and our impact on it—is vastly different from what it was in 1950, 1820, 1220, or 1020. The rapid changes we are experiencing suggest that if someone fell asleep today and woke up in 200 years, the world they would encounter would be unpredictable.
The University of Minnesota is actively engaged in addressing the Grand Challenges that arise from the Great Acceleration. These challenges include ensuring clean water and sustainable ecosystems, fostering just and equitable communities, advancing health through tailored solutions, enhancing individual and community capacity for a changing world, and sustainably feeding the global population.
In addition to research, the University offers courses on these topics. One such course is “Living the Good Life at the End of the World,” where students explore what it means to live a fulfilling life amid rapid change, guided by experts like Jessica Hellmann and Dan Philippon.
Thank you, University of Minnesota, for your commitment to tackling these pressing issues!
Create a timeline that illustrates key events and milestones in the Great Acceleration. Use digital tools to highlight changes in population, energy consumption, and environmental impact over the centuries. This will help you visualize the rapid changes and understand the historical context of the Great Acceleration.
Participate in a structured debate on the role of fossil fuels in the Great Acceleration. Form teams to argue for and against the continued use of fossil fuels, considering their impact on economic development and environmental sustainability. This will enhance your critical thinking and public speaking skills.
Analyze a case study on a specific aspect of the Great Acceleration, such as plastic production or ocean pollution. Work in groups to identify the causes, effects, and potential solutions. Present your findings to the class to foster a collaborative learning environment.
Conduct a field research project on local manifestations of the Great Acceleration, such as urban development or changes in biodiversity. Collect data, interview experts, and compile your observations into a report. This hands-on experience will deepen your understanding of the topic.
Engage in a creative workshop where you express your understanding of the Great Acceleration through art, music, or writing. Share your work with peers to inspire discussions on the emotional and cultural dimensions of rapid global changes.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi, this is Alex from MinuteEarth, and this is the so-called “hockey stick graph.” You’ve probably seen it before, as Earth’s temperature has risen rapidly over the last few decades, resembling a hockey stick. Interestingly, a hockey stick can also represent various other trends, such as the amount of plastic produced each year, the number of extinctions occurring, the fertilizer entering our oceans, the amount of fish caught, the global population, and energy consumption. There are hockey stick graphs for many aspects of human activity, and we could even create one about the number of hockey sticks!
This phenomenon is part of what we call the Great Acceleration—a significant and transformative increase in the intensity and scale of human activities. For most of human history, which includes the approximately 100 billion people who lived during the flat part of the graph, not much changed from year to year or century to century. For instance, if someone went to bed in the year 1020 and woke up 200 years later, they would find a world with slightly more people, living similar lengths of life, primarily using wood for heat and animals for power. In that context, humans were not a major force.
However, if someone went to bed in 1820 and woke up today, they would find a world with seven times the population, living 2.5 times longer, and utilizing various fuels that impact the climate to power their homes and industries. Today, humans are a significant planetary force.
The Great Acceleration—the upward curve of the hockey stick—largely resulted from the unprecedented use of fossil fuels since the 1800s. Initially, this growth was concentrated in North America and Europe, but the global Great Acceleration truly began after World War II and the independence movements in Africa and Asia, when more people gained access to these fuels, new agricultural technologies, and public health advancements.
Consequently, our world today—and our impact on it—is vastly different from what it was in 1950, 1820, 1220, or 1020. It is also significantly different from the experiences of the majority of humans throughout history. Given the rapid changes, if someone fell asleep today and woke up in 200 years, the world they would encounter is unpredictable.
This video was sponsored by the University of Minnesota, where students, faculty, and staff across various fields are working to address the Grand Challenges facing society. These challenges are closely tied to the Great Acceleration, including ensuring clean water and sustainable ecosystems, fostering just and equitable communities, advancing health through tailored solutions, enhancing individual and community capacity for a changing world, and sustainably feeding the global population.
In addition to researching these Grand Challenges, the University also offers courses on these topics, such as “Living the Good Life at the End of the World,” where Institute on the Environment director Jessica Hellmann and English professor Dan Philippon guide students in exploring what it means to live a good life amid rapid change.
Thank you, University of Minnesota!
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This version maintains the core message while removing any informal language or unnecessary details.
Great Acceleration – The rapid increase in human activity and its impact on the Earth’s systems, particularly since the mid-20th century, characterized by significant growth in population, economic activity, and technological advancement. – The Great Acceleration has led to unprecedented changes in the Earth’s climate and ecosystems, necessitating urgent research and policy interventions.
Human Activities – Actions and processes conducted by humans that affect the environment, including agriculture, industry, and urban development. – Human activities such as deforestation and industrial emissions are major contributors to climate change.
Climate Impact – The effect that changes in the climate have on natural and human systems, including alterations in weather patterns, sea levels, and biodiversity. – Researchers are studying the climate impact of increased carbon dioxide levels to better understand future environmental challenges.
Fossil Fuels – Natural resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the remains of ancient organisms, used primarily for energy production. – The reliance on fossil fuels is a significant driver of greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.
Global Population – The total number of humans currently living on Earth, which influences resource consumption and environmental stress. – The global population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, posing challenges for sustainable resource management.
Sustainable Ecosystems – Natural environments that maintain their health, productivity, and biodiversity over time, supporting both human needs and ecological balance. – Conservation efforts aim to create sustainable ecosystems that can withstand the pressures of climate change and human exploitation.
Plastic Production – The manufacturing of synthetic materials made from polymers, which has significant environmental implications due to waste and pollution. – The increase in plastic production has led to severe pollution problems in marine environments.
Ocean Pollution – The contamination of oceanic waters with harmful substances such as chemicals, plastics, and waste, affecting marine life and ecosystems. – Ocean pollution from plastic debris poses a serious threat to marine biodiversity and food security.
Extinction Rates – The speed at which species are disappearing from the planet, often accelerated by human-induced environmental changes. – Current extinction rates are alarmingly high, largely due to habitat destruction and climate change.
Energy Consumption – The amount of energy used by individuals, industries, and nations, which has implications for resource depletion and environmental degradation. – Reducing energy consumption through efficiency measures is crucial for mitigating climate change impacts.
