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Our planet is already in the middle of a crisis, humans are facing some of the worst conditions climatically in history. World population numbers are soaring, and on a planet that's not getting bigger any time soon, we are running out of space. It is predicted that population will peak at 9 or 10 Billion and then fertility patterns will plateau.
Some believe that the best option is to 'race to space' and leave this planet we have single-handedly demolished behind us. But is this really the best option?? Here are some of my reasons why space should not be our first option.
If humans have managed in the space of only a handful of centuries to drastically alter the capability of the earth to support life, who's to say that we wont do the same thing to the next planet we get our hands on. We need to solve the reason why we caused so much destruction before we can even begin to think about starting all over again. If we landed on a new planet tomorrow with our market economies and our need for 'growth', our overactive desire to consume as much as we can before thinking about the consequences, and taking one of our current forms of social systems and politics we are only headed for the same fate all over again. Humans as a species need to realise that that is exactly what we are, a species, amongst others species, all occupying one planet and depending on the survival of each other for our own. Humans will not be successfully able to rectify their mistakes on another planet if we maintain our status quo, business as usual manner of existence. Business as usual will not solve anything. In the words of Einstein 'You cannot solve a problem using the same way of thinking that created it'. And we will not be successful on another planet using the same way of thinking that destroyed this one.
I don't have the answers or the solutions on how to fix the planet, but I do believe that it is going to take a lot of small, trans-formative and radical changes to even begin to make a dent on fixing this issue. Changing what has been created over 1000's of years of human history in the space of a couple of decades is a nearly impossible sounding task, but its the only option we have if we are going to make a good shot at fixing our mistakes.
The world is filled with over 7 billion individuals, and you're one of them. If you expect everyone to make a change, you have to include yourself and make changes. If everybody waits then nothing is going to change, there are people out there already making changes, so if your waiting for someone else to start, well they have! So now its your turn! Its great to see people making the small changes and saying "I Recycle", but honestly its going to take some damn uncomfortable and far more challenging changes than sticking your bottle in a yellow lidded bin rather than a red lidded one.
I'm 20, I don't drive a car, I don't have my license and I never want it. I walk, or take public transport and that's how I want it. Its difficult at times. But that's reality, luxury and convenience is one of the biggest culprits of unsustainability. Be proud of what you can prove to yourself and others, live life amongst other people, outside, outside safety blankets and bubbles. Make new friends, make new challenges for yourself every day and make yourself proud of who you are and what you do, no only for yourself but for other people who will come after your life time. Work to create a world you want to live in, and you want future generations to live in. You are the best person to make the changes you want to see happen!!!
- Em
