By Fred Ball, March 15, 2013
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| Fred Ball |
As a new feature, I will post comments from the readers on matter of interest to Our Place in the World. The following remarks are by Fred Ball who lives with his Costa Rican (Tico) family in Atenas, Costa Rica, for the past 14 years. Fred Ball is a marine
biologist, commercial pilot and former university lecturer. He currently conducts nature tours throughout Costa Rica. Ball and his wife, also a biologist, are currently part of a movement to stop Mansanto's project to plant GMO corn in Costa Rica. He is also taking an online course on sustainability offered by Professor Jonathan Tomkin of the University
of Illinois. He submitted the
following statement to a forum consisting of other students participating in
that course.
--KN
* * *
Greetings
fellow students whom I hope will aspire to promote sustainability in times
present and beyond. I am Frederick Ball, and I am aware of the pessimistic
views expressed by scientists, environmentalists and others how humankind
continues to compromise the precious assets of planet Earth such as the air we
breath and the water we drink. Over the years I have witnessed on a global
basis the widespread results of deforestation, contamination of the marine and
fresh water environments, and reduced air quality. If you have not personally
observed any of these events, which I find hard to believe, then you can
certainly scan the abundance of available information that can be found in the
media. Also, there are countless watchdog groups such as Ecological Internet
and Rainforest Rescue that monitor projects that threaten the environment. The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration have a site (climate.nasa.gov) that provides certain vital signs
of the planet relative to global climatic change. Despite the ongoing assault
on Earth’s indispensable resources there is no doubt in my mind that Earth as a
geological entity will survive, but not its ecosystems that support life!
Perhaps lower life forms such as bacteria and cockroaches will continue to
survive, but the majority of advanced organisms will most likely die-off. I say
the majority because maybe Homo sapiens, in light of their technological
wisdom, for a select few, will be able to extend their survival in artificial
systems. Just imagine living the rest of your life in a closed capsule for
life-support!
Some people argue that it is already too late to reverse the trend of Earth’s deteriorating ecosystems. Whether true, or not, I believe all of humankind is obligated to seek out a life style that does not continue to compromise our vital natural resources. For me, that is what sustainability is all about!
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