Unlimited Growth on a Finite Planet

Fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes--

Nature can be quite…demanding.

We're just a speck in the grand scheme;

At least that's my understanding.

 

Our relationship with nature

Should be one of respect and awe.

But in the guise of progress we've found

That mankind has a fatal flaw:

 

Our love affair with material things.

You wonder: That can't hurt, can it?

Ah, but just think about

Unlimited growth on a finite planet.

 

From caves to computers, we've come a long way.

But some resources are irreplaceable.

When they're depleted, their loss will leave

A mark behind that's unerasable.

  

Population times consumption--

It's really just a simple equation--

Equals environmental impact,

And NOT merely on occasion.

 

Constant growth of both the economy

And population smacks of futility

And gives our world a recipe for

A bleak unsustainability.

 

As we add to our atmosphere

Carbon dioxide and methane gas

And destroy what it takes to sustain us,

Who knows what will come to pass?

 

Our world is such an incredible place!

I hate being the prophet of doom,

But let's not ignore reality:

There's only so much for us to consume.

 

Reasonable consumption now:

Is there such a thing as that?

If so, let's investigate

Our options. Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!

 

Avoiding economic collapse

While putting less stress on THINGS

And controlling population growth

Perhaps could soften the future's zings.

 

Think about our children’s future.

Think what we’re doing? Think what we’ve done?

Why would we turn this beautiful planet

Into an uninhabitable one?

 

(8-25-16)