Thursday 15 May 2008

A future legacy


Prince Charles came across in a new light on the Today programme this morning,interviewed about green issues and his concerns for the rain forest.

One of the questions he was asked was how could be interested in green issues when economic troubles are their first priority.

It is a good point and this article by Philip Emeagwali should make us realise that we must also plan for the future.Philip writes

Imagine that it is May 25, 2063, the 100th anniversary of Africa Day, a day for reflecting on Africa’s successes and failures. The newspaper headline announces, “Last Remaining Oilfield in West Africa’s American Territory Dries Up.”

....... “The last patch of rainforest will soon be empty land scarred by oil pipelines, pumping stations, and natural gas refineries. Wholesale pollution will be the environmental legacy for future generations


And continues

“Africa’s offshore oil reserves will ebb away. Abandoned oil wells could well become tourist attractions, and oil-boom settlements will be transformed into derelict ghost towns......

“In a world without oil, air travel will disappear, and people will voyage overseas on coal-powered ships. Farmers will use horses instead of tractors, and scythes instead of combine harvesters. As crops diminish and populations soar, famine will grip the globe. With no means to power their vehicles, parents will be housebound, without jobs, and children will walk to school.”


Well worth a read

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