The Human Zoo
I find it hard to contemplate living on a planet without wilderness or wild-life. But every year we are chopping away at it. Another irreplaceable chunk of jungle or wilderness is destroyed.
All we seem to think about is people.
This planet is not just people. It is a delicate web of interconnecting life. That plant and animal life is responsible for the air we breathe and the climate we live in. Yet we are recklessly destroying it at a huge pace.
Animals are being driven to extinction. The insects are down 50%.
Soon there will be no wild living tigers, rhinos, elephants, gorillas or chimpanzees.
Most people do not seem to care. They see nothing wrong. To them wild-life is a nuisance.
I am appalled.
I love animals. I adore nature.
The biggest threat is our burgeoning numbers. We have doubled our population since 1970. We are seven billion. In twenty years we will be fourteen billion.
Even the biggest fool cannot help but see that this is unsustainable!
We have to reduce our numbers!
It is not difficult!
The Human Zoo
One planet with limited room.
Seven billion people spell the clap of doom
For a natural world
Teeming with life.
Too many children
For each man and wife.
No room for the elephant
The tiger or chimpanzee.
No room for the rhino
Or the ironwood tree.
Bare earth and concrete,
Plastic and glue –
A green planet
Transformed into a human zoo.
Opher 28.11.2015
In Western Europe the birth rate among the indigenous populations has fallen below replacement level, so we are not to blame.
yes. Europe has got it right. But we have to sort the rest of the world out though. The destruction is terrible.
The problem is that the pensions for the ‘boomer’ generation have become unaffordable, particularly in Germany which has the lowest birth rate of all. Angela’s flawed ‘solution’ is unrestricted immigration in the hope that demand-driven economic growth will follow and hence there will be more taxpayers.
I think that is a problem that is exaggerated. There is a constant mantra of growth. We have to stabilise and improve quality rather than grow. We have to start to think globally and look at climate change, pollution, overpopulation, poverty, war, unemployment, education, fundamentalism, inequality, racism and misogyny as planet-wide problems. Then we can apply the solutions. We have the resources – if we choose.
I’m afraid that most politicians are stuck in a mindset that the only way to achieve economic growth is through perpetual population growth and if that can only be achieved through immigration then that is what they’ll do; and sod the consequences of the increased demand for space and resources. You only have to look at England which already has an average population density of more than a thousand people per square mile, yet continues to increase through unrestricted immigration, a policy supported by the Green Party.
politicians only think of votes and power. It’s insanity.
On the trajectory humans are on, we will be extinct by 2050. Sad that we can’t be gone and leave the animals, but sadly they will go before us. However, I believe in miracles. Sometimes amazing things happen in ways that we could never possibly imagine. I believe it is a scientific principle that putting out certain energy attracts energy of same – thus creating a positive Zeitgeist.
I’m all for positivity – tolerance, equality and fairness! We’ll sort it!
Yes! I hope so. Let’s do it!
Already started!
Excellent. My friend the hairdresser told me when she came that I need to clear out all the back garden it is all overgrown. She can’t seem to comprehend it is not overgrown it has so many Trees/plants/shrubs as I have made a Wildlife Garden – much to my neighbours annoyance as well. I have so many Birds, Squirrels. insects, hedgehogs, frogs and long and I mean long worms more like snakes!
That’s brilliant. That’s why I insist on keeping our hedges. The birds love them.
They so do, never get rid of them, I hate cutting anything down.
A great attitude. I wish everyone thought the same instead of all these sterile manicured gardens.
Believe it or not, you probably will you read me so well, I cry everytime I see people cutting down their trees and ripping up their gardens, it is madness.
They do not value the butterflies, birds and bees. It’s an inexorable destruction.
I am lucky I always have a lot of Butterflies in the Garden and Bees, so much so I had Honey Bees in one of the chimneys two years running and one year in a bird box right above the barn door – every time I wanted to get into the barn for the mower I would get attacked by them.
They probably thought you were sweet!
How do you think of them, thank you for making me laugh – too many tears this afternoon but that’s me.
Sweet tears – watch out for the bees!
What do I say to you I cannot think as quick as you.
Well don’t cry any more. That will do for a start. Start planning your SF trip and all the Rod places to visit! That’ll cheer you up.
As usual you are right, what else. I am more determined now than ever to go.
Determination counts for nothing unless it is translated into actions!
Well unless something goes wrong with probs I have I am going, first time ever anywhere on my own, worried about that somewhat.
On your own is best. As long as you are not too aloof you will meet people, make friends and have a great time. Don’t let fear stop you. Even if it was boring you will have done it. And it won’t be boring. Get an itinerary. Talk to people. Enjoy.
The trouble is I talk too much you know that. What worries me the most is being at the airport getting on the flight etc, I have to use a walking stick damn thing – hate it, hate it, hate it.
Plenty people use a walking stick. Airports are just boring. Take a book and sit and read. If you need help getting on the flight they are eager to assist. Just ask. They want your money. There really are not any obstacles that cannot be overcome. Liz’s Mum went to Australia and she couldn’t walk at all!
Really did she find it easy to go through the airport. Sometimes I think I find excuses for myself, I know you will say yes to that.
Yep. Had her own assistant and went to the front of every queue. She loved it. Felt like a queen.
Excuses count for nothing.
If I felt like that I’d never send any of my books off. I’d take the easy option.
Don’t think about it – plan it and do it? You only live once!
How did she manage that.
Every journey starts with a single step. She rang, asked questions, explained her circumstances, sorted out what she needed, ticked them off and was on the plane.
Off to watch TV with wife! Liz thinks we are divorced!
Not surprised. I have a contact with a tour company in the States so after Christmas I will get back to them and see what they can do – depends on price as well. Just did a review on “Rhymes and Reason”. Next book I start is “In a ditch”, can’t think of full title.
Hi Anna, Good afternoon. I’ve just got back. I’ve been out for a lunch with old colleagues – we call it the ‘escapees club’.
Was really touched by your wonderful review. Thank you so much! It was really uplifting. I shall have a warm glow for the rest of the day.
Reflections from a Ditch – I won’t say anything. It is a different type of book. Enjoy.
Sorry, Good Morning Opher.
And a very good afternoon.
You are very welcome, hope you enjoyed your lunch. Decided after reading this “forget your memories, live your dreams” the past now has to be the past and I go on to enjoy my dreams. Looking forward to starting the new book. Opher I went to order the book for Jonathan and I can’t remember the one you said, could you let me have it again, thanks.
The lunch was good but the company was better. It’s nice to meet up with old colleagues with shared history.
The book I though Jonathan would enjoy is In Search of Captain Beefheart. If he like Rock Music he might be intrigued. It’s a memoir of my life, from the age of eleven, with music and bands. People seem to like it.
Thanks again for that great review. I so glad you like my writing.
You are welcome for the review, you deserve it and I honestly love your writing, it is as though you are there talking to me, some books you start them and it is really hard going, others they just flow and that is yours it just flows, you cannot wait for the next page. It must be lovely to have nice friends and former colleagues, anyway it got you away from the internet and mad cows like me for a few hours. Thanks for the name of the book, I will go and order it for Jonathan, I have it myself. Put some of your books in amazon basket this morning, so that is more sales.
The get together was great.
You don’t come across as a Mad Cow to me.
I hope Jonathan enjoys the book.
Thank you Anna for your support. It is really appreciated.
You are more than welcome Opher. I will send you an email over the weekend I hope regarding your signature if that is still ok. I will sign off now as our Dinner is nearly cooked and by the time I wash up, David wipes up, Jonathan always offers butt David always says “I am doing it”, so that helps, it will be well over 10pm and David is back to work, so I shall say “Sleep Warm”, I am so pleased you liked the tree bark book, I really am.
Have a good night and dream of trees.
Just let me know what you want and I’ll get it sorted.
I will dream of trees, thanks Opher you are very kind. Well we head for bombing now Opher have you heard the result. 14 dead in San Bernadino (have I spelt it right) 3 gunmen on the run in residential area – just when I am all set to go there. I am off upstairs now to start new book the Ditch one. See you in the morning, it might be after 12 I have to see the Heart Nurse in surgery, they phoned today nothing wrong must have had an appointment booked.
The world is a troubled place. San Bernadino is miles away from where you’re going. Many times more people get killed on the roads. Life is dangerous.
I’m not sure I know what to make of this bombing. I want ISIS wiped out but I want a clear strategy on what happens next or it is all just as bad. I don’t see Cameron has one.
Too many children still doesn’t seem to come into any talks. I am unsure now what to do with the ivy that has covered my fruit trees in a small But overgrown London garden!
We have to stabilise and reduce the population. It is an imperative.
The ivy needs controlling too or it will smother and destroy as well.
Ok. I’ll deal with what I can at the moment! The wildlife love the ivy but I don’t have a forest of trees!
Ivy tends to smother and kill the trees. There needs to be a balance in everything.
I thought you and Trevor were in Spain Georgina?
Reblogged this on Opher's World and commented:
We need to learn to care.
It is horrible what we are doing to animals and the environment.
Yes it is! We should all be ashamed!
But Merry Solstice to you Pooj!!
Hahah Merry Solstice!
And Merry Crimble too!