Rethinking the narrative of ecosystem 'breakdown': A critical look at environmental metaphors
By
John Drake
Summary
The article critically examines the popular narrative that global ecosystems are "breaking down" or "malfunctioning," using examples like the Amazon rainforest losing its carbon sink capacity, coral reef decline, and the potential collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). It challenges the framing of ecosystems as machines that can malfunction, arguing that this metaphor is misleading. Instead, the article suggests that ecosystems are complex, adaptive systems that undergo transformations rather than simple breakdowns, and that the language used to describe environmental change shapes public understanding and policy responses.
Source
bskyRethinking the narrative of ecosystem 'breakdown': A critical look at environmental metaphorstheguardian.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledThe Amazon rainforest, according to a 2021 study, is losing its capacity as a carbon sink and now emits more than it absorbs.
The entire global ecosystem appears to be losing its ability to function.
But forests don't work like aeroplanes or human hearts.
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