Think before you act

Alongside intense media focus on economic issues and religious conflicts, public concern for environmental issues is growing in industrial and developing nations. The biggest issue at hand seems to be whether human beings can create meaningful and fulfilling lives while reducing eco-destruction which is destroying the earth's biosphere. Is it Humanity's dream to become exinct? What do you think of before you make decisions of what to eat, how to travel and what to buy?

Debates continue about topics like the state of carbon dioxide emissions, holes in the ozone layer, air quality, pollution, melting glaciers, global warming, disappearing plant and animal species and life-support systems which enable us to grow food and recycle what is ecologically sustainable.  Hundreds of thousands of approaches are taken to promote restoration and survival of vegetation.  At the same time, corporate interests and the global economy compete for attention and power, and may be destroying the very things we desperately need to survive.

Since humans seek to survive this era of unprecedented uncertainty, we would benefit from realizing the implications of being interdependent, biological beings. We need to acknowledge social and spiritual needs and address our lifestyles which jeopardize our ability to satisfy these needs. We must remember that ecosytems, plants, animals and other creatures share the Earth.  Our species may have evolved remarkably quickly because of the nature of our brain which separates us from other creatures. And yet, the results of greed, ignorance and inflexibility characterize dangers of short-sightedness. If you dream of a more wonderful life, define it.

In order to redefine meaningful existence, we must accept responsibility and be accountable for our actions.  Each decision we make has consequences that resonate long after we think they do.  Each choice we make has a domino effect. Since we're caretakers of a planetary system, its our duty to take steps to raise awareness of the state of our planet and to act to preserve it.

The next time you go to buy groceries, think about the supply chain that brings you the products. Rather than buy from a local farmer who has fresh produce and supplies which do not travel far, buying from larger superstores has repercussions. You may have more variety and product ranges, and food may sometimes seem cheaper, but the reality is that it brings much higher costs.

That fresh produce grown far away is picked before its ripe by people paid just enough to live. Bananas and other exotic fruits and veggies don't grow in northern climates. Even berries and produce that grow in the north certainly aren't available all seasons of the year.  Foreign produce brought in must be refrigerated so it doesn't spoil. Transport freezers also require energy. Since we haven't yet created teleportation,this food travels by ship, plane or truck, the implications are higher uses of fossil fuels, higher levels of pollution, flooding, oil spills and other disasters.

Increased demand for certain foods prompts growers, animal breeders and fish farmers to increase the size of their harvests. Mad cow disease arose because farmers desired to save money and get more for less by feeding animals chopped up animal remains when these animals are herbivores. Widespread bird flu outbreaks in chickens arose when humans were raising them in inhumane conditions and again taking short-cuts. New diseases in farmed fish also arose in part due to human greed. Consider the implications of irrigation. Water is drained from places in large quantities to grow agriculture in areas which lack water.

Our observations of what's going on in the world may never be comprehensive. We probably won't ever know everything. Yet, the little we do interpret is more than enough to cause us to rethink our personal choices. Recognize that everything you do and consume goes much further than simply satisfying your basic needs. You don't need the latest fashion or the newest models. Constant economic growth isn't possible so why do we permit consumer brainwashing? Increasing economic wealth isn't the basis for satisfying all human needs. Reconnect with the nature that sustains you. This will restore meaning and purpose to your human existence.