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| Seagull at Gordie Bay Rottnest Island |
In the face of a growing number of natural disasters effecting Australia, and today with New Zealand's latest earthquake, it's becoming a full time job assuring my children that the world isn't coming to an end, the fact is we live on a dynamic planet. Of course global warming is a reality - at least in my book - and it is, or will, contribute to more extreme weather conditions. We are in the middle of the hottest February on record and frankly I'm a bit over sweating. I like the heat but this is getting ridiculous. At home we are trying to do our eco bit, we've got the photovoltaics on the roof, ceiling fans and a complete lack of air conditioning, much to my children's consternation. Our house is practically bulging at the seams with have energy efficient and water wise appliances. Of course all our effort is less than a drop in the ocean of CO2 that's being released across the rest of the globe. I'm all for individuals doing their bit but I'd really like a bit more action on broader sustainability measures across all levels of government and industry. Our driving economic philosophy that we engage in continuous growth is not only unsustainable but defies logic. In my book we need a new economic paradigm that places a greater value on maintaining systems rather than continuing to exploit them with only short term gain in mind. "That's all very good and well", I hear the moguls of industry and economists cry, "but how do you do that"? I admit I don't have an economics degree but many people who are far smarter than me do. No doubt if we don't change the planet will force us to, unfortunately there may be even more mayhem, disaster and sorrow before we that happens.
