The End of Plenty
A few images from the June issue of National Geographic.
The world population, currently at 6 billion, is expected to increase to around 10 billion and then decline.
But already there are signs that our population is straining the planet's capabilities to produce and distribute food to everyone. At least this is true based on the way we are currently using resources.
The same is true of basic resources like water and clean air -- these are not things we will take for granted in the years to come.
"Nothing is left for him to devour;
his prosperity will not endure.
In the midst of his plenty, distress will overtake him;
the full force of misery will come upon him."
- Job 20:21-22 (read the whole chapter - the context is the outcome for the wicked who have oppressed the poor and left them destitute, seized things that were not theirs...)
What do you think? Have we abused the plenty we have had? ("We" could be anyone or any community or nation. For me as an American, I can ask these questions about myself and my country.) Have we abused the land? Do we responsibly share limited resources with others whom God has made? Do we consume things at the expense of the well being of others? How will we be judged? What if we didn't realize some of the repercussions of our lifestyles for a long time?
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We cannot just focus on waste and abuse. We must find ways to ensure that all of our aid actually reaches the people who need it, and doesn't end up enriching tribal warlords or government bureaucrats.