The Earth Charter

1. Respect and Care For the Community of Life
2. Ecological Integrity
3. Social and Economic Justice
4. Democracy, Non-Violence, and Peace

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The Earth Charter, Respect Earth and life in all its diversity, that how we treat nature, the same way nature will treat us. Under principles 1.a, which is states; “Recognize that all beings are interdependent and every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings.”  We are all independent as people or nature, although we are all connected and by being connected our act will have a reaction on others. It is our decision that we want to do something about saving nature or not, but either way one’s decision will have some kind of affect on others. 

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Lester Brown's Plan B 4.0

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The author talks about the rising issue of feeding the world. Water as a necessary (to irrigate fields) yet sometimes destructive (flood) resource, is mentioned as one of the key aspects in a worldwide dramatic change. Especially one section about the rivalry between China and the United States is interesting, and of very much concern (p.13). It includes the economic interlacing of both countries. “China has become the banker of the United States” and thereby has enough leverage to pressure the country to export grain to the hungry giant in Asia. From there the author even predicts the inevitable competition between Chinese and American consumers for food. Both giants could block any effort made to bring necessary change concerning the environment (also problematic as both countries are the biggest contributors to pollution and environmental destruction). Very concerning is furthermore the author’s comparison of our world economy to a Ponzi scheme which has a predictable, but devastating end for all and everything involved (in our case Planet Earth). It is a short-term process (p.14). One cause exemplified is the market, an “incredible institution” (p.15), but nevertheless damaging with its strict focus on the now and failure to provide full information (upcoming costs for our behavior today) (p.16). The market is incomplete as it only includes direct costs, yet ignores indirect costs caused by those; just as it ignores the services nature provides (p.17). 

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We have learned about our behaviors that have to change, for instance being more aware of our energy consumption, using more efficient LED-lights instead of the regular ones, recycle, plant trees, protect animal diversity and do not overfish, use renewable energy, and be more efficient with our scarce resources (such as water and land). We also mentioned the Earth Charter which is very idealistic and, in many points, hard - if not impossible - to fulfill. Future generations will pay a very high price for our current way of living. It already effects my generation and those to follow will be hit even harder if we do not change.

Vandana Shiva: Tomorrow’s Biodiversity “What is Biodiversity and Why is it so Important?”

“Humankind is one among millions of other species. It does not have a right to push other species to extinction, or to manipulate them for greed, profit, and power without concern for their well-being.” (p. 40)

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I experience that the generation Y and Z are uncultivated, they born in to the technology world, and using their resources, in every day life. Generation after Y do not feel the importance of common knowledge since using a smart phone can give you all the answers you might need at the moment the need it. The problem with that they cannot think widely, outside the box. Not knowing facts can limit the mind to think creatively. On the other hand, they believe they can think globally and that they can reach everywhere because of the Internet. Therefore they stuck at the big picture not realizing that fact every movement and change, or idea start at the moment as small things. We need to stop, look around, and enjoy the moment. Appreciate the small things in life, and understand the power of time. Not knowing what we are capable of may limit our actions. I believe that without making someone’s life better, and creating something remarkable and which will remain legacy, you are wasting your time, and others resources.

“Species now become extinct at the rate of 27,000 per year – 1,000 times the natural rate – and human greed and desire for profit are the primary cause of most of these extinctions.”(p. 42)

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Overpopulation as it self would not be a problem, the problems what it brings with it self. Which brings me to a macro issue in our global society, overconsumption and short of resources.  This two issues stands especially close to each other. Mahatma Gandhi a great hero who left some important legacy behind once said “There is enough in the world for everyone's need; there is not enough for everyone's greed.” I believe that earth has plenty to offer but if we do not respect and use the given resources wisely we may get to the end and it will be too late. All modern nation and cultures are using more then need it. In most case people cannot make a difference between want and need. Because not everything we can have we need. However all business and marketers are making us believe that we need what they selling and we cant live without it. This type of culture makes us over consume and trying to go against it is harder then ever. A report backed by 1,360 scientists from 95 countries states "Human activity is putting such a strain on the natural functions of Earth that the ability of the planet's ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted”. We are running out of resources two-thirds of world's resources are used up. The top one natural resources which can not be replaced and we are consuming them daily is Water, fresh water which is only 2.5% of all the water we have available on earth and the fact that 70% of that is in ice form it is possible that water demand soon exceed supply. The top second natural is resource is oil. BP Statistical Review of World Energy in June 2010 shows that if our global production is remaining constant we can use all that oil by 2056.  The same goes for the top third, natural gas, it can be used up by 2068.

"The lesson from biodiversity is co-operation, not competition" (p. 44).

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I was able to experience several cultures, I grown up in Hungary, I have been in most places in Europe, I visited Africa, Asia and I have been in the United States the past 3 years. Through these experiences I draw a conclusion that it can be a different culture or a nation the majority of the modern societies are unappreciative and hate one and other. The economic gap between even the lower middle class and higher middle class and above is huge internationally. In todays generation the one who has the economic power to be successful and make an impact are unappreciative and not carrying in most case. On the other hand the majority who works hard to make a living and in most case able to appreciate things, are the ones who put too much effort to blame and hate on the ones succeed. This kind of mentality is the reason we are having macro issues with this society. We need to stop being selfish, and need to work together for a better cause, to save our environment, and to ensure there will be a future for us a century later as well.

Rachel Carson: Silent Spring

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Rachel Carson a Marine biologist wrote the book Silent Spring and whit this book she started a global environmental movement. Carson did this in 1964 to raise awareness about DDT and other dangerous chemicals used in our nature and environment. One of the reason this book was able to reach such a wide audience is because she used a common language to tell about a terrible situation as a story in which every fact is backed up with study or a source which proves the credibility of the story it self. 

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I believe a lot has changed the past 50 years, this book created a remarkable change in our environment, but I would not say this change is for good. We did discontinue using those specific chemicals but we replaced them with differently composed chemicals that might have the same side effects on the long run. Using untested pesticides can cause more harm then good. Based on the Environmental Protection Agency, “Before manufacturers can sell pesticides in the United States, EPA must evaluate the pesticides thoroughly to ensure that they meet federal safety standards to protect human health and the environment” (Web) this law is current as of august 2013. Which states that there are requirements. However which also means that to sell and use pesticides it cannot include listed pre named chemicals. On the other hand changing up some molecules in a chemical they able to get the same effect legally sell it and use it for a while, but it will also create the same side effects and harm on the long run. This list of banded chemicals is increasing regularly. There is an on going fight between huge multi billionaire companies that are trying to sell as much as they can about their chemicals, and on the other side, the companies that are trying to prevent that happening and creating roadblocks for these companies and raising awareness about our environment.

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The book Silent Spring is a great book and sadly the problems it addresses still has not been solved even 50 years after it has been published. In fact there are more problems with our environment. The more humans are trying to create solutions for problems in nature the more harm they do in some other part. I see how we as people are trying to make our environment better, but I think we should work with our nature and not against it. In todays society as specially the past 15-20 years we are really trying to give back to our environment, but the only reason we do that is because we are afraid that one day we are going to be beaten down by earth and there will be no going back. As I said environmental problems are still exist, however there is a bigger problem and it is with our global society as it self.

"The people had done it themselves."

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Let us take a look to the big picture, how the earth population divides up? Where we all heading? Does word peace possible? There are some macro issues with our global society and there are several micro issues we need to address. We all know that everything is connected. We all are. Newton's third laws “When one body exerts a force on a second body, the second body simultaneously exerts a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to that of the first body.” The same law exists in the field of global society; every action carries some kind of reaction, and consequences. Energy never lost it transformed.