Winston Churchill once said, “It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required.”
For the energy crisis, what is required?
The previous five blogs covered key points from Dr. Bartlett’s “Arithmetic, Population and Energy” speech at the 2009 EntConnect conference.
In summary,
(1) To find the doubling time for any percentage of steady growth, use this simple formula: 70 divided by the percentage (70/%). Hence, 7% steady growth per year equates to a doubling time of 10 years.
(2) We saw with the case of the doubling of grain on a chess board and the splitting bacteria in a jar, steady growth equates to huge escalations over short periods of time.
Simple arithmetic tells us that population growth and/or growth in the rates of consumption of resources cannot be sustained. Understanding the consequences of growth, we can see trouble coming and take proactive action to avert disaster. Most important when acting early, we are more likely to control the factors to sustain living in an ethical and healthy way.
If we ignore the red flags, zero population growth will happen anyway. As we do nothing, factors, out of our control, will suppress life and promote death. The resulting human suffering could be incalcuable.
Space confines detailed solutions. Thoughtful community planning and education are a start. Exploring and developing renewable energy resources are another. And let’s not forget one of the most important factors, people who are willing to think.
Solomon expressed this timely wisdom:
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Proverbs 22:3
(New International Version)
On that spiritual note, instead of "In Growth We Trust" may we choose "In God We Trust" when we tackle our great challenges.
Related links:
EntConnect website: entconnect.org
Dr. Bartlett links:
albartlett.org
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Bartlett
globalpublicmedia.com/transcripts/645
Sir Winston Churchill link:
en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Winston_Churchill
Photos from everystockphoto.com:
Sir Winston Churchill: http://everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=2235250
So interesting Susan and I love that you take the energy crisis and point to GOD - In Him and in our Trusting Him lay all answers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robbie. We have had many crisis in the past, and for the times, they were just as challenging. We need His wisdom.
ReplyDeleteI love how your posts involve both thinking and pointing to God. He is the One who can lead us and who gifted us with brains that we might seek Him and His wisdom.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tanya for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteThe greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. It includes using our brains.