While Oceans And Earth Are Trashed.....

     Whether a mass extinction is taking place now, as some scientists allege, or whether we are inching towards a mass extinction and a point of no return, as other scientists allege, what is undeniable is that mankind is causing the rapid loss of species and biological diversity.

     Many species have declined by more than 90 per cent, often the result of habitat loss. Human overpopulation, a topic few are willing to tackle, and that meets steep religious resistance, puts a demand on land and water resources that exceeds the carrying capacity of the earth. Every year, more rainforest and other important biologically rich areas are lost or depleted. There are not, for example, nearly as many fish in the oceans as there were decades ago, and far less than what was present a century ago. A number of studies indicate there has been a significant decline in not only mammal, bird, and other vertebrate populations (other than domestic animals that are pets or used for consumption), but also in insect populations ( but not mosquitoes, who benefit from the enormous decline in many of the species that eat them or their larvae).

      By the time religions catch up to the 21st century, it will be too late. The idea that people can breed without limitations is difficult to counter when a number of religions have their followers convinced otherwise. 

      While waiting for a time in which mankind wakes up and learns to treat this earth with respect, and in order that all is not lost by then, what little of nature is left must be protected.

      In one tropical country, typical of many countries, most of the coral reefs, mangroves and rainforests have been lost, with devastating results - flooding, landslides, mudslides, weather related events made worse. The huge loss of wildlife and biodiversity, the collapse of fish populations, have resulted in hunger and poverty. The country is polluted, overpopulated, with hardly a river or fresh body of water left that is safe to drink or swim in. Garbage is everywhere. 

      Conservation and wildlife organizations must put conservation ahead of their own bottom lines. It is better that in this effort, they disappear while saving what little of nature is left, instead of nature continuing to disappear while they grow. 

      The few forests, mangroves and coral reefs left in that tropical country and other countries need to be protected by an international effort led by non corrupt countries that recognize saving the natural world means saving humanity itself. Conservation must be seen as human survival, and needs to be treated with the same urgency in which countries treat defense.

       Protecting new and existing national parks, nature reserves and marine sanctuaries means jobs. Manpower is necessary to keep places protected and clean.

       Conservation has to move beyond the puny efforts of the private sector, which has not been an effective model. The private sector, nonprofit and for profit, can aid and assist international efforts led by a consortium of non corrupt nations. 

       Religions must not accept the trashing of the earth. Already religion has contributed far too much towards the bloodshed, bigotry and hate in this world.

       People's concern for animals must move beyond the cult like worship of a few species, mainly dogs or cats. Animal organizations make fortunes knowing dogs and cats are where the money is at(while failing to do anything meaningful regarding animal cruelty, let alone conservation).

       A massive effort needs to be initiated to stop trashing the oceans with plastics and other non biodegradable oil based contaminants. One part of this effort, the simple act of removing trash from the land, waterways and coastal areas, can employ millions.

       Trawling the seafloor turns it into a wasteland and needs to be immediately outlawed. All destructive fishing practices need to end. Threats to the oceans, including plastics, styrofoam, oil based non biodegradable garbage, dumping of poisons, radioactive waste, overfishing, acidification, and many more threats, are turning the still productive ocean into a desert.

        Is the wealth of the planet in the health of the planet, or in its stock markets? Keep destroying the planet and it will not matter if the dow jones industrial average or the s&p 500 reach 10 million. 

        Protecting the earth is not a luxury, and it is not an optional choice. The money to do it is there. It is the will that has been lacking.