Our Planet
We live in a beautiful world, with extraordinary wildlife, incredible vegetation and breathtaking scenery, but…
‘What we do in the next 20 years will determine the future for all life on earth’
Sir David Attenborough
As The Lion King so eloquently puts it, we live in ‘A Circle of Life.’
We depend on plants for our very survival. Their incredibly helpful absorption of carbon dioxide in the air into their leaves and releasing of oxygen in the same way, provides us with the perfect conditions to breathe and survive. The more carbon dioxide we send into the air and the continuing tragic reduction in plants is putting this equation out of balance. According to the NASA Earth Observatory, ‘CO2 is the most important gas for controlling Earth’s temperature.’ NASA cites one example of destruction with a global temperature rise of 1.5C is that coral reefs will decline by 70-90% and at a 2C rise, they will be all but extinct. It is already shown in Our Living Planet Report 2018 that ‘population sizes of wildlife decreased by 60% globally between 1970 and 2014.’
Surely now is the time to do something about that…
Some Interesting Facts
Our planet is being damaged through our exploitation of its resources. But nature constantly tries to repair itself and get back to a state of equilibrium. See how you can help to protect our planet Earth and save it for our children. Here are some facts for you that might come as a surprise:
World Population
Take a look at this graph which details the world’s growth rates. Did you know that global population has doubled since 1970?
It took until 1804 to reach an estimated population of 1 billion people. It then took another 123 years to reach 2 billion people. We’re now over 7.7 billion people and counting.
That’s a lot of people to sustain!
Meat Production
Production of meat, worldwide has tripled in the last 40 years.
In 1950 globally we consumed 45 million tonnes of meat, today that rate is around 300 million tonnes and continues to grow year on year.
Although evidence shows that the rising consumption of meat in industrialised countries is slowing down and even lessening, countries where the middle class is increasing are showing huge growth rates.
Loss of Biodiversity
Livestock is a massive contributor to the loss of biodiversity with land needed to home the increase of animals and grow crops (often GMO soy) to feed them. In fact, 91% of the Rainforest destruction is a direct cause of the agricultural industry.
The clearing of woodlands and the fires that accompany it generate one-tenth of all global warming emissions, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, making the loss of forests one of the biggest single contributors to climate change. NY Times
Antibiotic Resistance
‘Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today.’ WHO
It is reported that in the U.S. alone, at least 23,000 people die and 200,000 are made sick from antibiotic resistant bacterial infections. This is because over time, bacteria develop a resistance.
Did you know that animals have long been given antibiotics on a daily basis to cause them to grow bigger at a greatly increased rate? Also, that in the U.S. up to 80% of all antibiotics sold, are to the agricultural industry? Shocking huh?!
Animal Diseases
Animal diseases have increased across the world in recent years, such as Swine Flu (H1N1), Avian Flu (H1N5) and mad-cow disease. This comes as a direct result of the cramped factory farm conditions which have become the norm in the western world.
Climate change as well as changing agricultural practices and demography are creating a favourable environment for anthropod-born (bites from insects such as mosquitos) diseases to rise. NCBI
The Solution
We are at a pivotal point in time. Now we know the situation, we are able to do something about it. Join us and create a world that balances natures needs with our own.
Here are some of the ways we can help.
Go Plant-based
Did you know that the water used in just one beef burger is the equivalent of two months’ worth of showering?! So, why not reduce your meat, fish and dairy consumption and eat delicious plant-based meals instead?
Consider that we use land and water just to grow the food for the animals which we eat, and who also need land and water to live. Why not go straight to the source and eat the plants yourself? If we don’t need to feed animals, we could feed the poor so that no one has to ever go hungry again. #beatworldhunger
Recycle, Recycle, Recycle
We have been conditioned into believing that new is best, and encourages a healthy economy and that plastic is vital for cheap consumables, but this is short-term thinking and is coming back to bite us.
Each country has it’s own policy on recycling so take advantage of what’s on offer for you. Recycle your plastics, paper, wood, clothes and furniture. There are now many ways to recycle or recondition electrical and mechanical goods. Be creative and reuse objects and materials you might have once thought of throwing away. And get comfortable buying second-hand.
Use a Clean Energy Provider
Check your local or national governments website for a clean energy provider in your area. If you don’t have access to one, why not consider writing to your government and petitioning for access.
Sustainable Palm-Oil Products
Palm-oil isn’t bad per se. It’s found in many cosmetics and food products and is often used as a vegetarian alternative to animal fats. Other replacements use more resources to yield the same quantity so could actually cause more harm then good. So, when you’re looking at the labels just check it’s coming from a sustainable (deforestation-free) source. Alternatively, consider making food, cleaning and skincare products yourself to eliminate the need for it at all.
Reduce Your Intake of Antibiotics
Only take antibiotics when you need them, and if you do take them, make sure you finish the course, as it can make the situation worse if you don’t.
Plus, did you know that around half of antibiotics sold in the world are given to the animals we eat. This is usually because of the poor conditions they live in. So, if you don’t eat animals, we don’t need to use anitbiotics as much.
Reduce Global Fertility Rates
We need to educate and support women across the planet, particularly in lower economic countries. Still girls are educated far less than their male counterparts throughout the world.
Education and economic freedom often leads women choosing to have smaller families.
Why not see how you can get involved with a charity supporting these ideals?
Tell your Friends and Family
Share your knowledge with the people around you. You have a valuable insight of what’s going on and the ways we can all get involved to fix it. Show people by your own actions, as this can really inspire people to follow your example.
It’s understandable if you feel a little uncomfortable at first, but just remember that those with great knowledge, comes great responsibility. Take small steps and start with friends and family who are likely to respond positively.
