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Dr. James P. Lodge, Jr., of the Na–
tional Center for Atmosphere Re–
search in Boulder, Colorado, had
this to say: "We must limit our own
population it is true, but it is even
more necessary to impose a pro–
gram of rigorous birth control on
our energy slaves. To say that this
program is an enormous program of
RETHlNKING PRIORITIES ÍS
lo state
the obvious. but it is nonetheless
lrue."
The noxious wastes from our en–
ergy slaves are far more difficult to
deal with than mere human wastes.
Nevertheless, we con tinue Lo de–
velop new energy-consuming gad–
gets such as electric combs and
garbage crunching devices. The to–
tal impact of all these gadgets upon
the environment which supports our
lives is enormous.
Environment Takes the Brunt
The destruction of our good earth
is perhaps the greatest long-range
detriment created by the energy
crisis. One specialist, Mr. Harry
Perry. pul it this way: "Do you want
to improve the quality of the envi–
ronment [and hence the quality of
life] or do you want the electrici ty to
come on as you need it?" So far,
modern technology has not been
able to offer both for the vast majority.
This earth, after all, is a "closed
system." It operates as a unit and
replenishes and purifies itself by re–
ceiving and using the sun's energy.
There are limits built into the bio–
logical systems of planet earth. Only
certain quantities of additional car–
bon dioxide, carbon monoxide. sul–
phur dioxide , lead an d othe r
pollutants from burning fuels can be
absorbed into this dynamic living
system. Only a limited amount of
extra heat can be absorbed by our
streams and the atmosphere over
our cities before our well-being be–
gins to suffer. Only so much radio–
active waste from nuclear power can
be absorbed, shou ld the wastes be
8
disposed of miles underground and
permeate into groundwater. Once
the limit is passed, deformities and
abnormalities in life forms occur.
We al! know these basic facts.
The question is, does convenience
of energy for the moment - for
short-term profit during our genera–
tion - justify future ecological dis–
aster? Overconsumption of energy
and the resultant pollution are de–
stroying the very biological capital
which supports alllife on the planet.
Most,
if
not all, of our
major
ex–
ploitations of our
only
environment
are out of step with the natura l re–
generative processes on earth. The
way we produce our food. clothe
and transport our bodies, create and
multiply the machines which work
for us - plus how we maintain the
tremendous outpouring of goods
and services - all these give us an
unparalleled gross national product.
Yet all these energy-consuming ac–
tivities also cause pollution. It's time
we took a long look at fuels - and
a t the spiraling increase in energy
consumption - and asked sorne
basic questions: Do we really
need
aU this energy? Why do we continue
to base and build our world econ–
omy on polluting, nonrenewable en–
ergy resources? There are other
forms of energy available.
Thinking the Unthinkabl e
Even though nonrenewable fuels
do pollute, they are not the central
problem.
lt
is man's exploitat ion of
them for short-term profit and con–
venience which is at the heart of the
energy crisis.
Suppose, for example, man were
to harness the sun's nonpolluting
energy. Would he use it wisely? Or
would he turn it to destructive uses
through greed for short-term prof–
its? History assures us that man
would. in fact, react greedily and
selfishly.
lt
becomes increasingly evident
that we must re-evaluate not only
our concepts of energy consumption,
but a lso the
motives
behind
our cravings. In fact, we need to
examine the unbridled profit motive
itself!
We need to consider a change of
approach
in dealing with our envi–
ronment. We have been careless
and blasé in our use of the earth.
We have polluted, raped and de–
stroyed the earth God gave us,
through ignorance and selfish moti–
vation. Man has too long been
tak–
ing from
the earth - instead of
taking care
of it.
The words of noted biologist Dr.
Barry Commoner echo the present
dilemma facing mankind:
"J
believe
that we have, as of now, a single
decade in which to design the fun–
damental changes
in
technology
that we must put into effect in the
1980's -
if
we are to survive."
He
called the 1970's "a period of
grace," and warned that "we must
determine now to develop, in the
next decade. the
new means of our
salvation."
This is a warning for us to change
our way of life - to change the di–
rection and use of our technologies
- to become more concerned with
the quality of life, rather than with
the quantity of "energy slaves" at
our disposal.
We need to change our basic
philosophies - whether we are pro–
ducers of goods and services or
consumers. And we need a new ap–
proach - a
concerned
approach -
toward other human beings and the
world in which we live.
Almost
2,000 years ago, a great teacher, the
apostle Paul, wrote: "For we know
that the whole creation groans and
travails in pain together until now."
That statement has never been more
true than it is today. The earth has
yielded to us great quantities of en–
ergy and wealth. Yet we have not
played the role of wise husband–
man. Our earth is wounded, and we
a re wielding the death weapon. Our
collective selfishness may kili us un–
less we find a new way to live.
O
PLAIN TRUTH July·Augusf 1973