It is evident in the world that dramatic changes are taking place.
Since the beginning of this century, 9 years we have seen:
- glaciers melting at a unprecedented rate-
The Himalayan Glaciers have been among the most affected. They provide more than half
of the drinking water for 40% of the earth’s population.
- in 2005 many cities in the in north America hit all time record highs during the summer months
- with the increase of ocean temperatures, typhoons and hurricanes are more severe and are on the rise
- 2004 was an all time record year for tornadoes in the USA
- this same warming effect brought severe drought into other areas of the world. The warming produces evaporation out of both the oceans (causing more moisture-rain) and the soil (causing draught).
- snow caps at both the Arctic and Antarctica are experiencing accelerated melting. Temperatures at the Arctic in particular are rising faster than at any other place on the planet.
- coral reefs, which are to ocean species what the rainforest is to land species, are being killed in large numbers by the warming of the oceans. According to estimates, the world lost 16% of all coral reefs.
It seems a tipping point has been met.
While many acknowledge what has been happening, there are some that debate how much man is responsible for these changes. However, looking at the spike in population, it is easy to see how the relationship between civilization and the eco- system of the planet could dramatically change in the past 200 years.
Even more so in the past 50:
- it took 10,000 generations for the human population to reach 2 billion .
- Then in a single lifetime (ours) it jumped from 2 billion to9 billion!!
With the continued growth in world population, and with the driving demand for more food, water and energy, these statistics will only get worse.
If we continue down the path we are currently on as a civilization, we can only expect more of the same results and further deterioration of our home planet.
Now is the time to begin making different choices and start living a more sustainable lifestyle.
