Planet Earth’s engineer – however you imagine that to be – created our planet as a system. This is because one part affects the other. However since the first industrial revolution the balance has shifted. There were many unintended consequences of this technological leap forward. These included creating a more prosperous economy with a higher infant survival rate. Too many people have strained our resources. Perhaps the United Kingdom environment recovery plan will be the inspiration we need.
The Distressed State of Our Natural Resources
The center-left Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has painted a bleak picture of human impacts. Because these have reached a critical stage and threaten to destabilize society and the global economy. Therefore. we have entered an “era of environmental breakdown” it says.
Since 1950, wildfires have increased 7 times, flooding 15 times, and heatwaves 20 times. We are also losing topsoil 10 to 40 times faster than Earth’s systems can replace it. Moreover, erosion has rendered 30% of the world’s arable land unproductive since 1950. Furthermore, this process could degrade 95% of the land by 2050 while the population keeps on growing.
IPPR Triggers United Kingdom Environment Recovery Plan
The United Kingdom’s natural resources have taken a hammering. The IPPR describes it as “one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world” according to the BBC. It is losing 2.2 million tons of topsoil annually. Erosion is prevalent in 17% of arable land.
The government has responded. The United Kingdom environment recovery plan finds expression in the Environment Bill heading for Parliament. “Over 25 years we will replenish depleted soils,” a spokesperson promises. Moreover, “we will rid our seas and rivers of the rubbish trashing our planet. And cut greenhouse gas emissions, cleanse our air of toxic pollutants, and develop cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.”
The new Environment Bill creates a watchdog Office for Environmental Protection, to hold the government to account. It should have a loud bark to sound alarms, and the power to enforce its decisions.
Related
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The Climate Crisis You Don’t Know About Yet
Preview Image: Morpeth Flood, 2010
