Misconceptions
Often I go on about the great wonder that exists on this planet.
Right in front of our eyes we can see the Earth's dynamics; constantly changing season, shifting appearance and growing new species.
I wonder how long our ancestors wondered about this? About the beauty of this Earth and how it continually flourishes. I wonder what it was like when we first discovered the Earth's natural cycle and how, on it's own, the Earth recycles its nature.
Unfortunately, it seems that we did not get it right at first. In his book 'The Meaning of the 21st Century' James Martin lists 7 misconceptions humankind has believed through the past (and a few still may today). Here are 3 of them:
- We believed nature's resources were unlimited.
It's quite clear now. For thousands of years our localised view of the world taught us that the Amazon basin was always filled, forests supplied firewood and there were plenty of fish in the sea. However as globalisation grew rapidly, the population exploded and we propelled ourselves through successive revolutions, (the Agricultural Revolution, the Industrial Revolution and the Technological Revolution) Mother Nature simply could not keep up. Hugely overstepping the balance with wide-scale deforestation and increased overfishing, it inevitably caught up to us and now many 'tragedies of the commons' can be seen worldwide such as in the Grand Banks.
- We thought nature could absorb unlimited pollution.
Similarly, our experiences had not taught us how to work with nature's complexity. With synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers released into the world, our soils, biodiversity and river life is threatened. Not to mention the mass release of CO2 emissions. James Martin used the story of the Black Sea as an example and a sign of what is to come.
- We thought technology could replace what nature does.
We know how chemicals contaminate the Earth, but what about new technologies? The nanoparticles, the gene modification, the AI; how are we going to regulate these spectacular oddities when they arrive? They're on their way and I don't think we quite know what we're heading for and we definitely aren't prepared for whatever is on its way.
Of course, we've come this far and I have no doubt technology will be playing a vital part in our salvation of the planet. Perhaps though, we shouldn't just wait around for technology to be our savior. Many doubt that technology alone could mimic or even replace the complexity of our global life support systems, but even if they could, would we want to live in a place like that?
Synthetic oxygen keeping us alive in our own little bubbles whilst the flora and fauna that once lived amongst us wilt and wither away. Could we really find happiness in a place like that?
Mars shouldn't be used as a back-up planet!
Last month, August 2nd, marked Earth Overshoot Day. A day when we used more ecological resources and services than nature could regenerate in the whole of 2017. This means that for a whole month, since August 2nd, and every day until December 31st, we use resources at the expense of future generations.
You may be confused as to why I am bringing this up now.
Well in honesty, I was too busy to write a blog that day in August but felt it was too significant to miss! Secondly though, I am interested to see if anyone has stuck to any changes they may have made as a result of Earth Overshoot Day.
It seems so easy and so accepted for a person to get caught up in the emotive language and images on the day of an event, yet give them a week, and they've forgotten all the words and actions they once felt inclined to do. Without the commitment or a reminder, we pass through the cycle of emotions and events of the year without a real memory of what happened. In this way, I fear we are walking into this future blind-folded by a lack of understanding and we'll arrive at the destination with no-one willing to accept any blame.
I wonder what you think we can do to change this. How can we keep the public engaged for longer and make them realise their value in this accelerating world?
Perhaps we could make it more personal and have specialised suggestions on how to make a person's life 'greener' based upon where they live, where they shop and who to bank with etc.
Here, you can calculate your own Earth Overshoot Day - it certainly made me rethink my contribution to this world!
You can also put this infographic up in your office, classroom or public notice board - on recycled paper obviously! You can email it to anyone and petition for change. Discuss whatever moves you with others and, maybe, we'll find a solution. One thing is for sure, you will certainly be part of the growing movement for change. For a greener, more sustainable world.
You are part of Earth's dynamics. It's time to ditch the misconception that you have no role here. You hold the power to change something, anything which moves you, for the better.
H _ M
:)
Bibliography
http://www.jamesmartin.com/book/
https://medium.com/@WWF/its-earth-overshoot-day-7a0b693b56de
https://www.ted.com/talks/lucianne_walkowicz_let_s_not_use_mars_as_a_backup_planet
https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/dec/18/eu.politics
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/death-hangs-over-black-sea-polluted-by-the-effluent-of-16-countries-it-is-now-the-most-damaged-sea-1444529.html
http://www.footprintcalculator.org/
http://www.thelancet.com/infographics/planetary-health
Right in front of our eyes we can see the Earth's dynamics; constantly changing season, shifting appearance and growing new species.
I wonder how long our ancestors wondered about this? About the beauty of this Earth and how it continually flourishes. I wonder what it was like when we first discovered the Earth's natural cycle and how, on it's own, the Earth recycles its nature.
Unfortunately, it seems that we did not get it right at first. In his book 'The Meaning of the 21st Century' James Martin lists 7 misconceptions humankind has believed through the past (and a few still may today). Here are 3 of them:
- We believed nature's resources were unlimited.
It's quite clear now. For thousands of years our localised view of the world taught us that the Amazon basin was always filled, forests supplied firewood and there were plenty of fish in the sea. However as globalisation grew rapidly, the population exploded and we propelled ourselves through successive revolutions, (the Agricultural Revolution, the Industrial Revolution and the Technological Revolution) Mother Nature simply could not keep up. Hugely overstepping the balance with wide-scale deforestation and increased overfishing, it inevitably caught up to us and now many 'tragedies of the commons' can be seen worldwide such as in the Grand Banks.
| The Black Sea https://www.eea.europa.eu/soer-2015/countries/black-sea |
- We thought nature could absorb unlimited pollution.
Similarly, our experiences had not taught us how to work with nature's complexity. With synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers released into the world, our soils, biodiversity and river life is threatened. Not to mention the mass release of CO2 emissions. James Martin used the story of the Black Sea as an example and a sign of what is to come.
- We thought technology could replace what nature does.
We know how chemicals contaminate the Earth, but what about new technologies? The nanoparticles, the gene modification, the AI; how are we going to regulate these spectacular oddities when they arrive? They're on their way and I don't think we quite know what we're heading for and we definitely aren't prepared for whatever is on its way.
Of course, we've come this far and I have no doubt technology will be playing a vital part in our salvation of the planet. Perhaps though, we shouldn't just wait around for technology to be our savior. Many doubt that technology alone could mimic or even replace the complexity of our global life support systems, but even if they could, would we want to live in a place like that?
Synthetic oxygen keeping us alive in our own little bubbles whilst the flora and fauna that once lived amongst us wilt and wither away. Could we really find happiness in a place like that?
Mars shouldn't be used as a back-up planet!
Last month, August 2nd, marked Earth Overshoot Day. A day when we used more ecological resources and services than nature could regenerate in the whole of 2017. This means that for a whole month, since August 2nd, and every day until December 31st, we use resources at the expense of future generations.
 |
| Infographic outlining how humans impact the world and what can be done to bring change. http://www.thelancet.com/ infographics/planetary-health |
Well in honesty, I was too busy to write a blog that day in August but felt it was too significant to miss! Secondly though, I am interested to see if anyone has stuck to any changes they may have made as a result of Earth Overshoot Day.
It seems so easy and so accepted for a person to get caught up in the emotive language and images on the day of an event, yet give them a week, and they've forgotten all the words and actions they once felt inclined to do. Without the commitment or a reminder, we pass through the cycle of emotions and events of the year without a real memory of what happened. In this way, I fear we are walking into this future blind-folded by a lack of understanding and we'll arrive at the destination with no-one willing to accept any blame.
I wonder what you think we can do to change this. How can we keep the public engaged for longer and make them realise their value in this accelerating world?
Perhaps we could make it more personal and have specialised suggestions on how to make a person's life 'greener' based upon where they live, where they shop and who to bank with etc.
Here, you can calculate your own Earth Overshoot Day - it certainly made me rethink my contribution to this world!
You can also put this infographic up in your office, classroom or public notice board - on recycled paper obviously! You can email it to anyone and petition for change. Discuss whatever moves you with others and, maybe, we'll find a solution. One thing is for sure, you will certainly be part of the growing movement for change. For a greener, more sustainable world.
You are part of Earth's dynamics. It's time to ditch the misconception that you have no role here. You hold the power to change something, anything which moves you, for the better.
H _ M
:)
Bibliography
http://www.jamesmartin.com/book/
https://medium.com/@WWF/its-earth-overshoot-day-7a0b693b56de
https://www.ted.com/talks/lucianne_walkowicz_let_s_not_use_mars_as_a_backup_planet
https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/dec/18/eu.politics
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/death-hangs-over-black-sea-polluted-by-the-effluent-of-16-countries-it-is-now-the-most-damaged-sea-1444529.html
http://www.footprintcalculator.org/
http://www.thelancet.com/infographics/planetary-health
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