Earth Day you Say?

Earth Day you Say?

Well the annual Earth Day has arrived and will be gone just as quick. When I ponder what the movement is striving for in one day a year I think back to a saying my father often told me.

The Road to Hell is paved with good Intentions.

What are you saying.,,, Earth Day is a positive and noble effort.

Have we reached a point where it is too little too late?

I shudder to think what my grandchildren’s grandchildren will be dealing with.

I don’t think that you have to be a member of the Club of Rome to understand that we are faced with perilous scenario’s in our global home.

California, because of drought and other factors are said to run out of water in a short period of time yet Nestle still bottles water there for profit. How is Nestle facing the issue of water shortage? If you have not heard you may be alarmed.

Nestle Pays $2.25 to Bottle and Sell a Million Litres of BC Water

I repeat: Nestle pays $2.25 to bottle and sell a million litres of BC water.    By Bill Tieleman, 24 Feb 2015, TheTyee.ca

There are so many things that we could be doing as a society but we are driven by corporate profits and consumerism.

I do not want to seem cynical but if we want to save our planet it is time that we act. I do not think that everyone needs to be a tree hugger to relate to these issues.

On a political front if the world environmental scientists have set emission guidelines in the Kyoto Accord why does Canada not follow them?

Well it is economics and politics. Until there is a majority of our community and population demanding action it will be back seat to our standard of life.

I guess my point of view is taken from my chiropractic philosophy. That is look to the cause and not just the symptom.

There does seem to be baby steps occurring. For example Time reports

New York will announce an ambitious goal of reducing waste output by 90% by 2030

(NEW YORK) — The nation’s biggest city, in a far-reaching effort to limit its impact on the environment, is set to mark Earth Day by announcing the ambitious goal of reducing its waste output by 90 percent by 2030.

That is a positive step. If we as a society are concerned with emissions for example why does the Government of Ontario (or any other ruling bodies across North America) not pass a law that says carbon based transportation will be banned from Toronto by 2035.

Why does our government not mandate one hour of physical activity for students in the province as well as mandated learning about food, health and the basics to keep our planet functioning at a sustainable level.

It seems to have been a slow process here in Canada with things like recycling and other beneficial programs but they will mean nothing if industry and big business does not buy in.

It seems that if you put their foot to the fire they threaten to move their interests to an area in the world that does not have the same concerns. If the restrictions are too much in Canada they will move to Mexico, India, China or any other country that welcomes the economical spin off with open arms. Maybe it is time for our Government to ban products for companies that do not follow the rules.

Imagine the world’s largest lung, the Amazon Rain Forrest being clear cut for profits. That is happening now.

Until we balance economics and the environment as a global concern I think we will continue to have issues. I have mentioned only a couple of issues that we face. They seem to be countless.

I believe that it is imperative that each and every one of us say enough is enough and treat the future of our globe as more than a day on the calendar.

Good luck with that.

Dr Brian Huggins