Friday, October 10, 2008 Roperos: Postive note By Godofredo M. Roperos Politics Also
WHAT could be the only positive note in these times of very negative outlook on the global economy is the statement made by a Nobel Prize winner last Tuesday.
He said that a slow down in the world economy “may give the planet a breather from the high carbon dioxide emission responsible for climate change. It is a sound and logical notion.
For so long, mankind has been extracting from the planet almost everything it needs, not only for its survival but also for its enjoyment and luxurious living. Certainly, slowing down the economic activity would mean lesser extraction and destruction of the environment.
Atmospheric scientist Paul J. Crutzen contends that “slower economic growth worldwide could help slow growth of carbon dioxide emissions and trigger more careful use of energy resources, though global economic turmoil may also divert focus from efforts to counter climate change.”
In my younger days, the weather in my hometown was quite predictable. It rained during certain months of the year and was hot in other months.
I remember that when it rained during the months of July, August, and September on the island’s west coast where my hometown is, one could be sure it was sunny on the east coast, and vice versa.
But things have changed. When it rains and water floods our ground floor in the town, our front yard in the city is also flooded.
It seems there is no more escaping the bad weather when even the rain can fall at will and make our day miserable even if the day began with a joyous sun shine through the windows at day break, and continues on through breakfast.
And then, as you wait for your jeepney ride to work, clouds suddenly gather overhead. Before you reach the office the rain is already pouring. Since you did not bring anything for the occasion, you are drenched when you enter the airconditioned office, and you catch cold.
It is difficult to find the right balance between utilizing Mother Nature’s resources for the good of people and controlling our materialistic impulse to make as much of the resources in our environment to satisfy our hunger for more of the things that make human life enjoyable no matter how debilitating it may make our environment.
People’s hunger for things material is what makes contemporary human efforts at survival riskier. It is time enough to strengthen our support of the positive note.
