Sunday, September 14, 2008 9:55 PM CDT
LETTER: Recycling can help save Earth's resources
By ALAN BAHARLOU, Ph.D., Charleston
When our astronauts soared through space and looked back at the Earth, they saw an image that no words can ever express, the finite nature of the Earth.
They did not see a service station to refuel or a grocery store to replenish, nearly 75 percent of the Earth covered with water (97 percent of that, salt water). A large part of the dry land is covered with glaciers, deserts, mountains, forests, all uninhabitable for humans or soil to produce food.
Our investigations indicate that resources to support the present 6.5 billion population that is growing by more than 85 million a year is finite or running out.
The fundamental question that we as Spaceship Earth passengers are asking is can we continue the present trend of using and discarding resources and generating pollution without adverse consequences. How will the future look that we and our offspring leave? We see a glimpse of that future: air pollution and overcrowding in major cities, hunger and disease in parts of Africa, Asia, South America, and world wide competition for limited resources. Is it too late to change the present course? Not yet, if we use our vision, foresight, compassion and critical and reflective thinking.
Just consider a few small, practical and bearable steps that could postpone that future or even divert it. For example, if every adult turns off electricity and water when not needed, saves one gallon of gasoline a week and uses reusable water bottles that would save approximately 200 million gallons of gasoline, 150 million kilowatts of electricity, and 250 million gallons of water in one week. In addition, there is the bonus of significantly reducing pollution and greenhouse gases generated otherwise.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to accomplish a majority of these savings is to recycle. This will lower consumption of energy resources, metals, save trees, generate less pollution, reduce our dependency on other countries and leave a much better future for all who come after us.
Fortunately, Charleston has a dedicated Citizens for Recycling Group and city officers. Mayor John Inyart, City Manager Scott Smith and Council member Jeff Lahr attended all the Citizens for Recycling meetings, made presentations and have been supportive of the Recycling Plan for Charleston.
We are hopeful that our city will develop an effective recycling plan and be a first-rate example, for the young people and a legacy of this generation.
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father bob wrote on Sep 17, 2008 3:20 PM: