Director’s Cut
The World We Live In
There are roughly 7 billion people in the world today, 45,508 listed companies in stock exchanges, and nearly 130 million published books in modern record. And yet we only have one Earth.
One Earth where all humans, animal and plant species are dwelling together. One Earth where we share the water we drink and the air we breathe in. One Earth with millions of roads on it, crisscrossing each other, where, even once in our lifetime, we get a chance to meet that 7 billion other people around the world. One Earth or more precisely, the world we live in.
For thousands of years, we have benefitted from the natural wealth of the Earth – its rocks and minerals, flowers and trees, water both fresh and salty. Even the fish, birds, and animals have not escaped us. We have almost depleted the Earth of its resources, and yet it stands beautiful.
Batanes, Philippines
Only a few times have we really paused and reconsidered the sustainability of our actions. We have benefited from it but has nature benefited from us? A wise man once said, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
There are many ways to define environmental sustainability. The simplest of which is still a tad complex. Hubbard describes it as a society that can persist over generations, one that is farseeing enough, flexible enough, and wise enough not to undermine either its physical or societal systems of support. Simply put, it is to satisfy our basic needs without degrading the environment to allow future generations of species to meet their own basic needs.
Green Sea Turtle in Apo Island, Dumaguete
Considering that this is the planet we call home, it is almost human nature to take care of it. There is, however, another human trait rather more emanating – it is to consume. Environmental sustainability today is far too low on our priority list. We’d rather push for economic and technological growth to improve human condition that we have forgotten to nurture the environmental base that drives it. We consume, consume, consume. Throughout the years, we have created automobiles, factories, and too much waste that has polluted the air, water, and soil, produced overflowing landfills, destroyed the forest, and caused global warming.
If the Earth is indeed borrowed from our children, do we rob them the opportunity to enjoy it or do we cultivate it to last several other lifetimes and species?
A number of environmental groups and even several government units have already started addressing this need. We are in a sad realization that if we continue our ways and approaches that has led to these problems; we might have far greater problems in the future. If we let go of sustainability, there may not be an environment to save. What good are iPhones, modern cars, and strong economy if we do not have a livable planet to enjoy them? We only have one Earth and unless we find another galactic address, better take care of the one we have right now. It is rather heartbreaking that we have to realize it this way.
The need for environmental respect and preservation for present and future generations is now apparent around the world. There are sustainable approaches and resource efficiency that are currently being demonstrated in several communities. A significant reduction of environmental impacts can be manifested by an intelligent use of energy, water, and other materials in every community. Take it further and we may even greatly lessen waste and pollution.
The technology we have worked for, for so long, can help us reduce energy consumption. Less of this can do so much to address pollution, climate change, and scarred landscapes. This efficiency, as seen in other communities, must begin with the simplest unit of society – the family.
Even the small one can do so much to help. Even the littlest of help, when combined altogether, can influence a future. Never underestimate the discipline and practices that has started at home. These may make or break events.
Let us educate our children the importance of the environment, the natural resources, and why we must respect it. Everything begins at home. Show our love and value by letting them help build an environmentally sustainable nation. Teach and practice proper garbage disposal and conservation of energy at home. Go on forest and ocean clean-up drives; plant trees and flowers in your backyard; recycle and reuse plastic. And the list goes on. It’s really all a matter of understanding the situation we are in. Once we have it in our hearts, we can do so much to practice environmental sustainability.
It is not, however, an easy thing. Sustainability is a long process and might take decades to be achieved. Should this discourage us? No. For if not now, when? If we won’t, who will?
It takes a while and a lot but we are 7 billion people in the world. We have created 45,508 companies and written 130 million books. Surely we can do even one thing each to help the world we live in, stand more beautiful than ever.
