For over four billion years, life on Earth has slowly evolved from its earliest forms to the complex ecosystems we see today. However, a recent study suggests that human-made objects have surpassed all living matter on our planet in terms of weight.
A global inventory compiled by geophysicist Yinon M. Bar-On and his colleagues found that humans produce massive amounts of “technostuff” – including roads, skyscrapers, cars, cellphones, and paper towels – every year. This has led to a staggering discovery: the total weight of human-made objects on Earth now outweighs the combined biomass of all living organisms.
The visualization of this data, created by physicists Brice Ménard and Nikita Shtarkman, reveals that humans account for only about 0.01% of Earth’s current biomass, while concrete makes up 60% of man-made structures, followed by sand, gravel, and other materials used in construction.
In contrast, wild animals weigh less than a human, with some species weighing as little as 1/10th the weight of an individual person. On the other hand, humans use 100 times their own mass in plastic, highlighting the significant environmental impact of our daily choices.
As the world’s population continues to grow, experts warn that the future will only see more infrastructure development, energy consumption, and a rise in global temperatures. This visualization serves as a stark reminder of the massive human footprint on our planet and encourages individuals to reassess their plastic usage and strive for sustainability.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/science/biomass-garbage-construction.html