Earth's Biomass vs. Human Impact: Tipping the Scales in 2023

Amid the vastness of our planet, the combined weight of humans and our domesticated animals has become increasingly significant. A study conducted by Professor Ron Milo from the Weizmann Institute of Science in 2020 made a startling revelation: the weight of all human-made objects has surpassed the total weight of all living organisms on Earth. But how much is that really? Let's delve deeper into the mass question to understand it better.

The Colossal Weight of Earth’s Biomass

Understanding the sheer scale of Earth's total biomass can be a challenge. We're not just talking about large animals or plants but every living organism, from the tiniest microorganisms to the enormous blue whales. The combined weight of all this life is an astonishing 1.14 billion tons.

To give readers a more tangible perspective, let's consider two man-made marvels: the Eiffel Tower and the Great Pyramid of Giza. The Eiffel Tower, an architectural masterpiece from Paris, weighs around 10,100 tons. In contrast, the ancient Pyramid of Giza weighs a staggering 5.9 million tons. Now, if you can imagine, the total biomass of Earth is equivalent to the weight of approximately 112.87 million Eiffel Towers or around 193,220 Pyramids of Giza!

Understanding the Weight of the Wild

The vast realm of the wild, brimming with majestic animals from colossal elephants to deep-diving whales, seems limitless in its expanse. However, when one actually measures the weight of all these creatures, a different picture begins to emerge.

As a conclusion based on detailed research by Prof. Ron Milo and his team, the combined biomass of terrestrial wild biomass, which includes creatures like elephants and moose, is approximately 20 million tons. This constitutes only 1.75% of the Earth's total biomass.

In comparison, the marine wild biomass, including behemoths like whales, contribute about 40 million tons, making up a mere 3.51% of the global biomass.

To provide a comprehensive perspective:

In essence, the entire wild mammalian population on our planet — both on land and in the seas — only amounts to 5.26% of the total biomass. This is a humbling realization, underscoring the delicate balance and intricacy of our global ecosystem.

The Weight of Humanity vs. The Animals We Breed

Human civilization has experienced exponential growth over the centuries, both in terms of population and its impact on the planet. This impact is palpably evident when one examines the combined weight of the human population relative to other organisms.
Currently, the total human biomass stands at a whopping 390 million tons. However, an even more startling realization is when we consider the livestock that we breed for consumption. These animals, primarily consisting of cows, pigs, and sheep, accumulate a staggering weight of 630 million tons!
To better appreciate the gravity of these numbers, let's put them into perspective:

Astoundingly, the biomass of our livestock is approximately twice that of the entire human population.

The Vast Spectrum of Earth’s Biomass

As we consider the significant weight of humans and our domesticated livestock, it's crucial to understand how this compares with the broader scope of Earth's total biomass. Earth's biomass is a sum of all living organisms – ranging from tiny microorganisms to towering sequoias, and encompassing a myriad of species that inhabit land, sea, and air.

When all the data is pieced together, the total biomass on Earth registers at an astonishing 1.14 billion tons. This figure not only includes humans, livestock, and wild creatures but literally every living entity, irrespective of size or species, that exists on our planet.

Here’s a detailed breakdown to offer a clearer perspective:

From the numbers presented, it's evident that the combined weight of humans and our livestock forms a significant portion of the planet's total biomass. In fact, they together account for nearly 90% of the considered biomass for this breakdown. Comparatively, the wild biomass, despite its extensive variety and widespread distribution, constitutes only a minor part.

This analysis provides a striking reflection of our expansive influence on this planet. It further emphasizes the importance of recognizing this relationship and underscores the value of preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance.

The Weight of Human Endeavor: Beyond Just Biomass

While the combined biomass of humans and the livestock we rear is undeniably imposing, there’s an even more significant metric that showcases the scale of our impact on the planet: the weight of what we produce.

As of 2022, a profound threshold was crossed. The cumulative weight of human-made products — from towering skyscrapers of concrete to the smartphones in our pockets — exceeded the total biomass on Earth. This means that within just a year, by 2023, we've added an additional weight in products which surpasses all the living organisms on our planet.

This data paints a striking picture of human influence. Not only are we and our livestock a dominant force in terms of biological mass, but the products of our civilization have become a heavyweight contender in the balance of the planet. The rapid scale at which we're adding to this artificial mass has profound implications for Earth's ecosystems, resource consumption, and the environmental challenges we face moving forward.