ON July 29, humanity has used all of the ecological resources that we can regenerate this year. In simple words, we have advanced whatever remaining natural resources we have for the entire year. Which is why July 29 was called the Earth Overshoot Day.
According to the Global Footprint Network, the level of natural resources usage across the world is equivalent to more than one planet. Our future is compromised due to over-abuse of these resources. If we have a deficit in natural resources right now, how about the future?
We are able to do much to redeem nature before it takes its toll on us. One of the primary actions is to thoroughly observe our lifestyle. The Global Footprint Network compared the levels of use of natural resources from several countries. The comparison saw that America has used natural resources nearly equal to that of five earths, followed by Australia equal to over four, and Russia equal to three. We need to have a mechanism to hold these countries accountable for the abuse of natural resources. We have only one Earth. Everyone is affected from the abuses of some countries.
We must also find earth-friendly alternatives in habits, services, and duties that we indulge in. One of these is our transport system, not only within our country but all over the world. The rush hour people experience in urban areas across the world fills the air with smoke from vehicles. The number of urban areas in the world and the rapid rate of urbanization exacerbate the effect of this situation.
Brothers and sisters, the plastic in our surroundings suffocate our planet. It kills the wildlife in the sea and air. It also blocks drainages and waterways. They slowly fill our planet. And plastic does not degrade or decompose. They will stay forever on Earth.
Let us not wait for Mother Nature to claim payment for our debts. When it last demanded payback in our country, it wasn’t only our waterways taken, but the lives of many people. We must not allow these to happen again. Do you recall the devastation of Supertyphoons Yolanda and Ondoy?
According to the Rerum Novarum, it doesn’t mean if the Lord has given the world to us that we treat it as private property. A message from the Gaudium Et Spes: God created the Earth and everything in it for all the people and countries. All living beings must equally and adequately be responsible for using the resources God created, through the guidance of justice and love. We must take good care of the natural resources God has given us.
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