Everybody these days seems concerned with Earth’s so-called, “Environmental Crisis”. Whether it’s recycling little plastic bottles or using organic foods, humanity’s efforts in preserving the biosphere are clear as day. However, we as humans and environmentalists need to wake up and remove the smoke and mirrors. The “eco-friendly” fad has become quiet trendy across our great nation- But is it enough? I am here to paint a clear picture of present day Earth, and its not-so green future.
Politicians around the globe are obsessed with being “green”. Are they doing it for the future of mankind, or simply just to arouse potential voters? Treaties like Kyoto are seen as a great leap forward by the average person, they view it as an example of humanity’s passion and courage- but to me and the rest of the intelligencia, they are lilliputian.
Earth’s grim fate lies in the ability of mankind to resist technological innovation and disgraceful politics. Not one method of obtaining alternitive energy has proved to be worthwhile- they merely reduce emissions and prolong our search and suffering. The fallacy of emission cuts is leading us to our grave. Such diminutive reductions will not improve our (and the Earth’s) situation. The industrialized world has already stained Earth for the time being and burgeoning nations like India and China won’t help the least bit. Let’s get real people, these emission cuts are implemented to appease the public and pull the wool over our eyes. Big business will continue to grow (yes, yes, I’m a libertarian) and decimate our planet’s biodiversity.
Earth’s clean, healthy future must become a reality. However, to achieve such a goal would mean widespread deindustrialisation and, most importantly, depopulation. Humans are the culprit, therefore we must rethink our role in the biosphere and act accordingly. Devolution into primitivism is the only way to rebuild (or regrow) Earth. If that fails, or isn’t attemped, we must colonize another planet. We cannot continue to live on a planet that has fallen ill to our machines and selfishness. These are the routes humanity can take. So, where do you stand?
I’ll take space colonization, Mike. As Konstantin Tsiolkovsky once said, “the Earth is the cradle of humanity, but mankind cannot stay in the cradle forever.” It is vital for the survival of humanity as a species to leave our Spaceship Earth. Our survival must not be tied to this planet in much the same way that the child should forever be dependent on his or her parents.
That being said, I would be lying if I said that Earth doesn’t have any beauties or natural wonders. Conservation is important, yes. However, it is vital we put the long-term interests of mankind ahead of the interests of the planet (which, I must admit, has been doing a pretty good job as an apartment for our species).
I find it unsettling that people nowadays no longer view Mother Earth, and nature in general, a part of humanity. Alas, such is the woe of paradigm shifts! Damn you Issac Newton!!! To me Earth is more than some independent parent; it is as much a part me as the air I breathe, the water I drink, and the animals I eat from it.
Jaskot, you’re right about Mother Gaia being in great peril; but I don’t think devolving into Bushmen is a real, practical solution. Maybe we should instead listen to Hegel and merge the thesis (which is advanced human technology) with the antithesis (which is the lovely nature of Momma Earth) into the synthesis. The outcome of fusing these two seemingly opposing forces will either create something like modern day Christianity (a disgusting stew of pseudo Christian ideals supported with heretic pagan traditions) or something more similar to contemporary neuroscience (which recognizes the major role abiotic chemicals play in the brain but also gives credence to basic Freudian ideals and possible theistic experiences). I pray we get the latter, because the former ensures humanity’s doom.
Primitivism would be the only way out of this environmental mess. However, I believe that this is unrealistic to some people, therefore space colonization might work.