[NV Greens] Fwd: [usgp-dx] Man Destroying Planet

[Paul Etxeberri]

>
>
>Hi:  This will come as no surprise to any Green but we must find a way to
>convince the people of American and of the world that we must act NOW.
>Peace.  Richard Walton, RI.
>
>
>Wed. Mar. 30 2005 11:20 AM ET
>World
>Earth from space graphic
>Earth has suffered irreversible damage: study
>
>CTV.ca News Staff
>
>Humans are damaging the Earth at such an unprecedented rate that the
>strain on the planet may destroy about two-thirds of its ecosystem
>services, according to a landmark international study.
>
>The consequences of humans' activities are severe and include: new
>diseases, sudden changes in water quality, creation of "dead zones" along
>the coasts, the collapse of fisheries, and shifts in regional climate,
>according to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis Report.
>
>"At the heart of this assessment is a stark warning," said the 45-member
>board.
>
>"Human activity is putting such strain on the natural functions of Earth
>that the ability of the planet's ecosystems to sustain future generations
>can no longer be taken for granted," it said.
>
>The four-year, 2,500-page assessment was drawn up by 1,300 researchers
>from 95 nations in an effort to inform global policy initiatives.
>
>Scientists warn that about 60 per cent of the ecosystem services that
>support life on Earth, such as fresh water, air and water regulation and
>natural hazards, are being destroyed.
>
>The report warns that the consequences of this degradation of the
>environment will significantly worsen over the next 50 years.
>
>"Any progress achieved in addressing the goals of poverty and hunger
>eradication, improved health, and environmental protection is unlikely to
>be sustained if most of the ecosystem services on which humanity relies
>continue to be degraded," said the study.
>
>The report says humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly in the past 50
>years than any other period.
>
>"This was done largely to meet rapidly growing demands for food, fresh
>water, timber, fiber and fuel," a statement said, adding that this
>resulted in an irreversible loss of life on Earth, with some 10 to 30 per
>cent of mammal, bird and amphibian species threatened with extinction
>currently.
>
>The changes in the ecosystem are owing to humans' efforts to meet rapidly
>growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fibre and fuel, the report
>says.
>
>"More land was converted to agriculture since 1945 than in the 18th and
>19th centuries combined," according to the report's authors.
>
>"More than half of all the synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, first made in
>1913, ever used on the planet has been used since 1985."
>
>And the current state of affairs is likely to be an obstacle to meeting
>the Millennium Development Goals agreed to by world leaders at the United
>Nations in 2000, the report says.
>
>"The over-riding conclusion of this assessment is that it lies within the
>power of human societies to ease the strains we are putting on the nature
>services of the planet, while continuing to use them to bring better
>living standards to all," said the MA board of directors in a statement.
>
>"Achieving this, however, will require radical changes in the way nature
>is treated at every level of decision-making and new ways of cooperation
>between government, business and civil society. The warning signs are
>there for all of us to see. The future now lies in our hands."
>
>In a message launching the reports, United Nations Secretary General Kofi
>Annan said the environment can only be protected by understanding how it
>works.
>
>
>"Only by valuing all our precious natural and human resources can we hope
>to build a sustainable future," Annan said.
>
>	"The only way out of our crisis (terrorism) is to reduce the 
>anger of the
>most rational, thus also reducing the constituency of the least rational."
>  Sam Smith.
>
>	"When they come for the innocent without crossing over
>your body, cursed be your religion and your life."  Anon.  But often
>quoted by Dorothy Day.
>--
>-----------------------------------------------------------
>"Richard Walton" <richard at soup.org>
>-----------------------------------------------------------
>
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-- 
Paul Etxeberri

"Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow"   ---Chateaubriand