STATISTICS can be quite confronting. The world’s population is now about 7.4 billion people.
Forecasts predict that by 2050 the world’s population will be 11.2 billion, India might be the most populous country in the world, followed by China, and Nigeria the third.
Ecological Footprint data suggests that even now 3 – 4 planets similar to the earth would be needed to support the current population at USA consumption levels.
Even with present population levels, the world has yet to counter our adverse effect on the climate and environment.
These statistics show the scale of real challenges we, the world, face added to by the current futile debilitating ideological, religious, political, national, geographical, and ethnic differences now being played out.
I would suggest that our New Year is not only a time to celebrate but also a time to reflect on our own good fortune, a time to think about the lessons of the past, a time to take a calculated look at not only the short term future of next year but the longer term demanded of a finite planet, a finite environment, and finite resources.
This, the most important day in the year for the Chinese and one when we can allow ourselves to be proud of our contribution to the harmony and prosperity our nation enjoys.
And make a pledge that each and every one of us in our very small way will contribute to the common good in whatever way we can and to the well-being of the less fortunate , the deprived , the disabled and the underprivileged in our society.
Make a pledge to eschew extremism in all its forms.
Use our vote at any election to ensure those we elect those who have the capacity and vision to think beyond everyday governance by laying down policies that will answer the real and possibly the greatest challenge we face, learning to living now and in the future within the boundaries of, and in equilibrium with, our finite environment.
Happy New Year