Pacific coastline, California
As news broke recently of how the population of human beings has reached 7 billion (plus or minus), I have often thought about how we haven’t destroyed this planet yet. Is it because human beings are so resilient to adapt to many different conditions, or nature’s tolerance of our impacts, or a little of both? When I say nature, I mean as a planetary whole. Certainly many species and specific habitats have been decimated as a result of our thriving “success.” Endangered and Extinct Species are being added to the list at an increasing rate. We change habitats all the time to make them more human centric.
I grow frustrated with hearing so many statements about the prosperity of growth. Growth of companies, growth of profits, growth of families, growth of success. Growth is an unsustainable concept when we view it as limitless, yet it always seems to be referred to in that way. There are so many indications now that we had better be braced for some change. Just how far can we adapt? Nature may tolerate one more pipeline, one more spill, one more skyscraper, one more forest lost, one more species extinct, one more degree in ocean temperature.
I wonder to what extent. What is that tipping point of when the tolerance is going to run out? We have seen time and time again self corrections nature begins to make in order to maintain some type of balance. Nature eventually corrects too much growth. When do we become a significant part of that correction? I don’t think anyone truly knows, and such, always leaves the discussion open for many to discredit such talk as alarmist. After all, it is much easier to simply discredit and ignore than actually do something.
In this time where we have politicized science and rarely take a non-human centric approach to decision making, it is quite hard not to be pessimistic. I suppose I have already been there for quite some time now. I am almost to the point of seeing the small efforts by various people and organizations as being futile. If anything, we can look at them selfishly that it gives our current generations a bit more time with what is left. Look at us… we still wage wars, when some wars are ending, we conjure up reasons to talk of another. We can’t agree globally on energy policy. The thought of energy prices going up causes political groups to spend millions on scare tactics to keep the status quo. How about this argument… energy cost goes up, and if you reduce by the same amount – the delta is zero! We seem to be incapable of coming together as a whole, and that perhaps is the ultimate human flaw.
Nature manages many populations other than our own. Decisions are made for them all the time. We seem to have found a way to avoid that little game. We operate in a manner where we don’t think the same rules apply to us. Yet we are reminded by the next flood, the next fire, the next storm, the next quake that sometimes the decisions will be made for us, irregardless if we are responsible or not. Perhaps we haven’t triggered that tolerance limit yet. We should have no doubt that nature will eventually self correct as it always does.
We wont make it. There will always be someone that stands in line to get a bit more from the cake. It seem to be in our genes, food on the table is just not enough. Nature will eventually take over this business, keeping the Earth healthy. (Maybe I’m not that pessimistic. Although there are hardly no good signs, I might be near-sighted).
Great post Mark. The problem is so mind-boggling that we can’t even begin to comprehend it. We don’t know what those tipping points are, but we’d better grasp the fact that us humans, like all living things, live within certain natural ‘laws’, and those laws aren’t negotiable.
Nature eventually corrects too much growth.” I agree that that is the answer. It is a complex problem and that the self correction you mention is what will be our salvation—although we will likely experience that period not as “salvation”, but more like one of devastation, deprivation, and despair for most.
When even those who long for a return to better days are not willing to return to those days; when most of those who advocate for austere lives wallow in luxury; it is, to most people, confusing, at best. I don’t see how we can maintain a worthwhile quality of life without some connection to the planet we inhabit. And, that connection is eroding at an alarming rate Yet, do all those who have secured their personal “slice of heaven” get to say “Lock the gates now. Dynamite the road. Pull up the drawbridge. Everyone has enough”?
Thinking about this issue frightens me and depresses me something fierce, and I sincerely mean, “Thank you, Mark, for always bringing up such interesting questions. Darn it!”
What’s worse is that the poorest nations will probably be the ones that begin to suffer first Anita, because the richer nations can’t come to agreement with each other. Thank you for taking some of your time to think about this Anita.
This impassioned plea and wake up call is so well written. I like the way you raise questions rather than offering all the answers. This gets people thinking. As always, your approach is very refreshing Mark.
I suppose if I had the answers, I could write books instead of blog posts. 😉 Thanks David.
I thought that the younger generation, with the technology, awareness and the connectivity they have at their disposal would be the change we need to help manage resources, not only in this country but globally. But I don’t see it. I see a lack of concern and understanding of the problems we face. It’s a sad state of affairs but you can’t change human nature.
Well I was just accused of being an egocentric alarmist, so at the risk of being called worse, may I suggest we are already seeing the correction? Our lifespan is now shorter than the previous generation. Disease is taking over.
How many people do you know that have, had, or will have cancer? Our food supply is moving increasingly to manufactured fake food. Our climate is changing and getting more violent and extreme. Water around the world is becoming a scarce commodity. We, as a species and society, are becoming more intolerant and violent. Medication will keep us in line. No? Greed will always trump what is right, or necessary.
I view all of it as the correction. Maybe the fittest will survive to do things right. Maybe not.
I have no doubts we are already seeing corrections. Nature can work in very subtle ways, and with so much disconnect with the bulk of the human population, I wonder at what point do people really start to notice?
Yes, it is scary when I look in to the future of the earth. For the politics we´re always not too much, they always want more people (voter). Economy has to grow, more and more. Where should this end. For me the nature and the human has no chance, seen in the long term. We´re too much and to destructive and I see no change. Buisness and money will always get preference.
But there´s one thing we can do. Enjoy every minute of your life and live in a way where you can be satisfied when you look back on your own life.
Thanks for the comments Jurgen. Couldn’t agree more!
You feel frustrated but I think that word is lacking in how you really feel. I too am concerned and have many questions about the future of this planet. I would venture to say our younger generation is more interested in American Idol than they are of this world we are destroying. I have been pondering the same questions myself. I keep asking myself what I can do? I know there are people making headway in drawing awareness to the situation. This afternoon I drove by the landfill, which if moved to Kansas, would probably be the highest point in the state. It’s all trash. Turned my stomach. As a culture we arrogantly think we can rule nature with our technology when in fact we are harming it
Yesterday afternoon I spent some time out at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR and had the pleasure of observing a few of our brothers and sisters of the animal kingdom. It was wonderful. While driving home I wondered how many people even know what this 15,000 acre refuge has to offer them. Or, if they even know it exists.
This morning I creeped along at a snails pace while maintenance crews replace deteriorating asphalt, which is a petroleum based product, that will have to be replaces again in the future. A sign that nature does not want it that way. 🙂
Why can’t we globally see we are rapidly using natures resources that took thousands of years to create? As a friend of mine reminds me, we have a globally broken thinker.
Sorry for the rant and I’m not even sure where it was going. feel your frustration!
I can understand the rant Monte. Those types of things grate on me also. I try to keep some hope alive for the organizations that are fighting these things, but it is increasingly difficult.