Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Human Society - cancer of the earth

Web definition of CANCER: any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream

Had wanted to post somewhere this troubling thoughts of mine, that "human society is cancer of the earth". What do I mean by this?

Cancer is uncontrolled growth. What is the state of human society now? With all the governments of the earth placing a large premium on economic growth, my opinion is the human society is on an unending and unsustainable upward path, with no end in sight. Cities are expanding to mega size with huge demand on the environment. Plantations are encroaching into the forest uncontrolled. Heads of States are only happy when they see growth and economic development as they are then seen as champion of the people, providing them jobs, economic security. Head of States are so proud when they announce various development projects, but I cringe when I think of what may happen to our world if this continue ad infinitum. Must economic development be the supreme goal of a government? Must we be continuously getting more prosperous in material terms? Or do we have to go through a painful adjustment period when Heads of States eventually realise that all "good" things must come to an end. Is it possible for an economic society addicted to economic growth to keep their citizens happy to avoid pain when we are eventually forced to adjust to the limitations of a finite earth? With the present emphasis on growth it is correct to say that our human society in its present state is the cancer of the earth? When one see large exposed wounds of Mother earth from the air, it is hard to think otherwise.

Hope someone with better writing skills can elaborate on these thoughts. Do put them in the comments.

Update: Sat - Apr 16, 2005
Some links to other sites that express this much better than Enviroman can:

Dr. Hern's Diagnosis: Humans as a Cancer of the Earth

The Earth Charter

IMPACT OF POPULATION GROWTH ON FOOD SUPPLIES AND ENVIRONMENT

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