Not unlimited, Not sustainable
If we would condense earth’s life in 24 hours, the following is what we would notice. 1second after midnight, earth’s crust would form. At 2:08 PM, single celled algaes arose. At 10:56 PM the first dinosaurs are born and not long after extinct, 11:39 PM, the first mammals are recorded. Finally, the first homo sapiens appeared on earth’s surface after 11 hours, 59min and 58 seconds. 2 seconds to midnight.
If we converted those 2 seconds in 24 hours, we would realize this. It is only in the last microseconds to midnight, that modern humans, created bulldozers, factories and started living in an industrial society. And yet here we are. In these last microseconds, we have destroyed, over-consumed with that, losing all connection with our environment and changing the ecosystem to one which we are more vulnerable to. Bacteria’s and viruses are appearing more abundantly and frequently. Three-quarters of the land-based environment and about 66% of the marine environment have been significantly altered by human actions.
Our beloved 21st century already counts for 13 out of 14 of the warmest recorded years. Natural catastrophes have more than tripled since the 1960’s. And because we never have enough, between 1970 and 2010 we have lost 60 percent of all vertebrates.
We are nourished with fear and anxiety. Fear of losing our comfortable yet destructive lifestyle. Comfort doesn’t only come from consuming more and quicker. Comfort also comes from within. Having access to basic needs, such as food, water, housing, education and good and affordable health care is a fundamental for every human being. Yet in respect with what our environment can provide for us.
We are dependent on the environment and ecosystem, not the opposite. We have long time been thought that we are meant to live in the conditions in which we are living. With a minority of people consuming meat every day, having food abundantly, electricity everywhere. But the reality is that this comes with costs. The result is that most of us are scared of moving out of this comfort. We have become addicted to addiction.
We are now at a point
of no return, on the
edge of extinction.
We have designated people to represent us, to protect our needs. With it, losing all the responsibility of our acts. If they cannot protect us and make the right and wise decisions, let’s make them ourselves. Responsibility doesn’t only grow in the heart of the politics and governments. If we want change, change will happen. Investigations and exposures against big companies and governments, who do not seem to act a lot on the environmental issue, are important. But this is not enough. Let’s Pursue these without withdrawing ourselves from the importance of environmental protection. Open our eyes for some time and realize that we live in a model of exploitation, which needs to be reconsidered. We are not only destroying our own habitat, but also the ones of the poorest communities in the world. Leaving them in poverty and exploitation, while we thrive for power and consumption. The club of Rome in 1970 already warned of our exploitation means and their effects on social and environmental phenomenon. And yet, since then All the indicators are just accelerating not getting better. We believe that food, water and basic needs are unlimited while forgetting that the number of hungry and starved people around the world is just expanding due to climate change (close to 900 million worldwide according to the FAO).
A lot of people will tell you that the majority Is afraid of changing their lifestyles. Don’t listen to them. If you can, do it. Not only for your own sake, but for the sake of your children, grandchildren, community, country and humanity.
We are another generation having to doubt whether we should have kids or not. Due to the fear of war for some, or political/economical instability for others. But fear of universal sufferance and extinction, for all of us.
This story belongs to each of us and to all of us. Let’s remember this history and present together.