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The future of our planet has been in the news over recent days with discussions between key nations about climate control and greenhouse gas generation. Global production of greenhouse gases continues to climb. While the US and Australia contribute substantially to the problem, the economic development in India and China evidences the greatest growth in greenhouse gas production as they take up carbon-based power generation at an alarming rate.
But that's the global problem: what about you and I? When I checked out my own ecological footprint at the EarthDay Network, it determined that we would need 2.1 planets to sustain life if we all lived as I do, as I use about 3.8 global hectares to sustain it. That's an uncomfortable thought, particularly in light of the gospel call to be life-giving. I'm a taker, who needs to repent.
And if you think that this is wacky thinking, then go over to the New Scientist web site and read about efforts by the Norwegian government to establish a doomsday vault to avert world famine. Just 1000 km from the North Pole they will establish a concrete room to store around 2 million seeds, representing all known varieties of the world's crops in an effort to safeguard the world's food supply against nuclear war, climate change, terrorism, rising sea levels, earthquakes and the ensuing collapse of electricity supplies to name just a few of the problems we are constructing for ourselves.
So, my lifestyle is forcing such drastic measures. Sadly, these are remedial, and the pittance that is being thrown at the problems by our governments underscores the necessity of such action.
Plenty can be done, but each of us must begin (and not remain) inside our own walls.
Posted by gary at January 13, 2006 03:49 PM
I did that a couple of days ago and We'd need 3.2 earths to sustain us if we all lived like me. oops...
Posted by: Megan at January 13, 2006 04:48 PM
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