Glenn Stewart Coles, 9251 Yonge Street, Suite 8-924, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, L4C 9T3
Text Box: Based on observation of other star systems, planets have a beginning and an end. Often the life cycle of planets is dependent upon the activity of the sun. Until the sun burns out or explodes, a planetary system is supported. Recent calculations project that our sun is expected to last another five or six billion years before expanding into a red giant and swallowing the earth. What is the length of time that life can be supported on earth if we maintained a balanced ecosystem? Scientists estimate that the earth has been around for 4.5 billion years. We have identified remains of life dating back 3.5 billion years. Projecting into the future, anticipated gradual rise in temperature would end life on earth in about one billion years, when all the water evaporates. So our planet is mortal. It can only support life for a limited time. If estimates are correct, the cycle of life on our planet began 3.5 billion years ago and will end 1 billion years from now. As an entity supporting life, the planet earth is three-quarters through its life span. In comparison, the earth is like a sixty-year old American woman anticipating her eighties. Humans first appeared as a species about 250,000 years ago. The tiny population remained nomadic hunters until about 10,000 years ago when farming was developed and man settled down. Since then we have been growing at an increasing rate. The population of the world reached the one billion mark around 1800. It took until 1927 to reach two billion. We passed six billion in 1999 and anticipate reaching seven billion by 2012. At current rates around the world, in one hour about 16,600 babies are born. In the same hour, on average about 7,300 people die. In just one hour, the world population grows by enough people to fill a small town. Our population increases between 9,000 and 10,000 souls every hour of the day, each day of the year. The majority of population growth is occurring in poorer nations. A recent report from the United Nations states that 2.6 billion people do not have access to clean toilets. Almost 40% of the world’s population, many living in crowded areas, don’t have the ability to flush away their body waste. Instead, it must be dealt with manually. The potential for spreading of disease is incredible. In the same hour, every hour, over 5 million chickens are slaughtered. In the time it takes you to eat a steak, around the world another 35 thousand cows head to the meat counter. Are all of these animals raised and slaughtered in hygienic conditions? In many areas the animals and people live close to one another, again often in crowded conditions. The world is connected and what happens elsewhere affects everybody. Every hour of the day people move from country to country. Individuals can circle the globe in a day; or less if you are someone special. If a new strain of disease were to appear, it could reach most of civilization within days. In the meantime, humanity depletes resources at an alarming rate. Our prime source of energy is running out yet oil usage increases each year. Food supplies have already begun to diminish. Our climate is changing. Pollution increases. Toxic elements are constantly manufactured. Forests are constantly reduced. As our species grows, we consume all resources and leave a mess behind. Is our planet mortal or immortal? She is mortal and humanity is killing her. Once we have consumed the resources and sucked most of the life out of our planet, our species will no longer be supported. Perhaps when that occurs, our planet will have enough life force to recuperate and let the forests start growing again. Perhaps there will be enough people to keep humanity going. Or perhaps it will be too late. As individuals we wish to survive. Though we accept our own mortality, we continue through life anticipating that the world will go on without us. As a species we also wish to survive. One option is to leave the planet and find other places to grow and consume. Another option is to change and develop a symbiotic relationship with our planet, helping support a balanced eco-system. Unfortunately, a third option is to battle for resources and attempt to survive longer than others. Fueled by culture, belief systems, anger and desperation, weapons are used around the world. Billions envy nations with abundant resources. The struggle is evident and escalation of war is anticipated. Though pockets of humanity have managed to live in harmony, violence has always been present in human civilization. Maybe the perfect balancing mechanism of the universe is at work. Perhaps we will be forced into a symbiotic relationship. Perhaps it is necessary for humanity to shrink and stabilize in order to save the planet. Maybe a dramatic drop in population would be enough to shock the rest of humanity into changing. Or maybe the ability to evolve lies within us, and mass awakening is just around the corner. What can you do? Stay tuned. © Copyright Glenn Stewart Coles, 2008 First Published July 15, 2008

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As an entity supporting life, the planet earth is three-quarters through its life span.
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