Seven Billion

This NY Times article scares me:  Seven Billion

It's a long one, so here are some highlights:

"Can the earth support seven billion now, and the three billion people who are expected to be added by the end of this century? Are the enormous increases in households, cities, material consumption and waste compatible with dignity, health, environmental quality and freedom from poverty?"

"Nearly half the world lives on $2 a day, or less. In China, the figure is 36 percent; in India, 76 percent. More than 800 million people live inslums. A similar number, mostly women, are illiterate."

"Some 850 million to 925 million people experience food insecurity or chronic undernourishment. In much of Africa and South Asia, more than half the children are stunted (of low height for their age) as a result of chronic hunger. While the world produced 2.3 billion metric tons of cereal grains in 2009-10 — enough calories to sustain 9 to 11 billion people — only 46 percent of the grain went into human mouths. Domestic animals got 34 percent of the crop, and 19 percent went to industrial uses like biofuels, starches and plastics."

"Henceforth we need to measure our growth in prosperity: not by the sheer number of people who inhabit the earth, and not by flawed measurements like G.D.P., but by how well we satisfy basic human needs; by how well we foster dignity, creativity, community and cooperation; by how well we care for our biological and physical environment, our only home."

"We must increase the probability that every child born will be wanted and well cared for and have decent prospects for a good life. We must conserve more, and more wisely use, the energy, water, land, materials and biological diversity with which we are blessed."

..... For me, the take-away from all this is that our choices matter.  I took a really long shower the other day because it felt nice.  But, times that decision by several billion, and that's a lot of water wasted!  I have got remember that I am sharing this earth with 7 billion other people.  If you have a minute, watch these awesome Nat Geo videos!  They really put things into perspective.

"Our choices make a big difference when multiplied by 7 billion."

"So it's not space we need.  It's balance."

Think about your choices today!  I know I will!

Love,

Chelsea