Earth Day 2023 | My Site

Earth Day: Saturday 22 April, 2023

Some thoughts on the future of the world

(a bit serious but the future is nigh, I'm afraid)

The Climate Crisis

Climate change could be irreversible by 2030. At the rate we are trying to make a difference, we have no chance. We already experience significant impact from weather-related events.

The Economic Enigma

The Great Depression 1929-1939, OPEC oil price shock 1973 and the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. We seem to lurch from financial crisis to financial crisis. The problem? Most of the wealth in the world is owned and managed by a tiny percentage of the population. The gap between rich and poor continues unabated.

The Water Wars

We are running out of water and very soon wars will be fought over water resources (they have begun - GERD). Drought is a major contributor to refugee migration. Our oceans are dying and there is reluctance to do anything about it. Water might soon only be able to be bought through a stock exchange.

The Media Madness

As a result of ‘immediate satisfaction needs’, the media bring us live action of almost everything. But every broadcast has an ‘agenda’ so it is very difficult know who to believe.

The Technological Trauma

Technology is outpacing our ability to ‘manage’ it. It is so true that it can be used both for good and evil (as can many other things). Open AI/ChatGPT should be shocking you to the core. Greater control of technology and enforceable legislation will be needed in the future.

The Food Famine

It is clear that the agricultural revolution is long over with more farms closing than opening. In the future, all our food will be grown in laboratories – it’s already starting to happen.

The Population Predicament

Currently, there are too many people in the world and up to 200 million people could be displaced by climate change by 2050. You will be aware of all the regions of the world where refugees are fleeing their countries. And the forecasts for the future are frightening. We may be forced to control population.

The Education Emergency

Having worked in education most of my life, it seems to me we have failed to raise our children to be ‘better’ people. We have dumbed down our content, simplified assessments, become bell-curve experts and still many of our graduates don’t work in their field of study.

The Political Perplexity

Don’t get me started. I used to believe in governance—the acts performed by governments and organisational leaders—but I have lost all faith in our leaders in being there for the people. Far too many are just there for themselves.

The Extinction Enigma

We are losing tens of thousands of species and yet most people don’t know about it or don’t care. We have almost ruined our land masses and we now seem hell-bent on ruining our oceans. Watch out our Galaxy!

The Medical Malady

Medical development is enabling us to live longer but it has also facilitated our suffering from many more diseases and ailments for longer. Is this worth it? Or is it just another scam? Anyone noticed that our GPs/hospitals can no longer cope?

The Debt Debacle

In 2021, global debt reached a record $303 trillion, according to the Institute of International Finance, a global financial industry association. What does this mean? We have to ‘live within our means’ – but very few people, businesses or governments actually do this. We just keep increasing our borrowing.

The Conflict Catastrophe

In 2022, World Vision wrote:

'There are now more active conflicts than at any time since 1945'.

Land wars, turf wars, political wars, commercial wars, ideological wars, space wars, drug wars and so on, all happening right now. It seems we are just not able to live without 'conflict'.

Yes, I know all the above challenges are somewhat depressing but if we don't acknowledge the crises and do something about them, then what?

Folks, our earth is in crisis and it is going to take a monumental shift in mindsets, paradigms and practices in order to save our planet.

Do everything you can - today.