I’ve just finished Brian McLaren’s Everything Must Change, where he describes the world’s current system as a “suicide machine” which is hurtling our planet toward its untimely demise. The BBC has two data points which back up his thesis:
Global trade coupled with fossil fuel use is exacerbating global warming:
Our highly consumptive lifestyle is impacting our ecosystems:Global emissions of carbon dioxide from shipping are twice the level of aviation, one of the maritime industry’s key bodies has said.
A report prepared by Intertanko, which represents the majority of the world’s tanker operators, says emissions have risen sharply in the past six years.
North Sea cod stocks have declined severely since the late 1990s, and in the past the scientific advice has been to stop fishing for cod entirely.
Researchers say where fisheries have been closed, there are signs of a slight recovery.
But, they say, it is not yet enough, and these young fish need the opportunity to grow and reproduce so they can contribute to the restoration of this important fish stock.
For the sake of our children and grandchildren, we must find a way to grow our economies in a sustainable fashion while at the same time sharing our wealth more equally with the poorest of the world’s poor. It’s the only way we can depart from our current suicidal course.
