ABSTRACT
We depend on renewable and non-renewable natural resources provided by managed ecosystems (i.e., marine and terrestrial) to provide water, food, energy, land, mate-
rial and other interrelated ecosystem services-now and in the future. Agriculturethe cultivation of animals, plants, fungi, and other life forms for food, fiber, fuel, medicine and other products is essential to sustain and enhance human life and societal well-being. However, human societal demands are rapidly increasing-being driven, predominately, by the world’s accelerating human population that is expected to reach 9.3 billion in 2050 (UN, 2011). Combating hunger and poverty worldwide remains a tremendous challenge. Perhaps the greatest challenge of the 21st century is to meet and sustain society’s growing needs for resources without harming the environment over the long-term. More affluent societies are becoming keenly aware of the consequences of their reliance on increasingly scarce, nonrenewable natural resources. Major societal advancements, all play a role in increasing worldwide resource demands, including: modern rates of educational advancement, improved human health and longevity, higher expectations for prosperity and affluence, utilization, expanded trade and wider availability of resources and products, urbanization, and the broader use of latest technologies. The rapid transportation of goods, mobility of people, and expansion of social communication networks continue to increase our global societal awareness, interaction, and interdependence.
1.1.1 Risk era and societies-urgency versus uncertainty
