Compared to sustainability, all else shrinks to insignificance.
Background. I am referring to the sustainability of our civilization and, ultimately, the ability of our ecosystem to sustain the human species. What could be more important than that?
From beginning to end, their thriving civilization lasted about 1,000 years. Ultimately, they consumed their finite resources and their civilization collapsed.
Some of our most brilliant scientists are predicting a near certain collapse of our civilization well before 2100 if we don’t begin making radical changes very soon. Yet, none of our greatest leaders, thinkers and wealthy philanthropists are focusing on this all-important issue. I recently posted the following comment beneath Bill Gates’ blogpost on April 8, 2014. (As of yet, he has not replied)
When I read the following quote from your blog, I was reminded of what life must’ve been like on Easter Island just before their civilization collapsed. “Life is better now than at almost any time in history. More people are richer and fewer people live in dire poverty.”
The problem on Easter Island was the same problem we have today on our global “island.” We’re rapidly depleting our finite resources while our population continues to explode. Foreign aid helps relieve the suffering of the victims, but does nothing to address the systemic problems that are driving our deliberate march toward a collapse of our civilization well before 2100.
Both Stephen Emmott and Lester Brown are predicting the same collapse—unless some sweeping, “radical” behavior changes are made very soon. And neither of them see that happening. We’ve got three big problems: Too many people. Consuming too much stuff. And eating the wrong food. Only the third one can be changed quickly—and with great benefit to all living things. I explain how that can be done in this recent letter addressed to Bill and Melinda:
After posting that comment, I decided that it was time to get real clear about sustainability on the home page of my website. And that is what I am writing about today.
A clear statement about the mission of hpjmh.com is now the first thing you see when you visit my website—a concise summary of URGENT information about sustainability that can be easily understood by the average 6th grader. By simply referring interested parties to my simple 5-letter website, they will be greeted with this simple mission statement followed by a compelling, “big-picture” argument for change:
This site is ALL about promoting health…
Poster at Holy Cross College advertising my speech on 3-19-14.
For Humans AND our Ecosystem. Amazingly, the leading driver of our out-of-control chronic disease trends, water scarcity, soil erosion, deforestation, species extinction AND climate change are ONE and the SAME—our toxic western diet.
When enough humans simply choose to eat mostly whole, plant-based foods—it will be the biggest Win-Win in the history of the world. No less than our future as species hangs in the balance.
SUSTAINABILITY is Topic #1. I write about it in my blogs, I talk about it in interviews and it is featured prominently in my public speaking.
In my role of sustainability activist, my favorite speech title is: Food. Health. Planet. Our Future as a Species. For more information, visit my Speaking page.
The plan is to continually update my home page so that it always begins with the most compelling information and call to action. Take a look and then kindly refer anyone who might be interested in the long-term survival of humanity—hopefully, that would be everyone. Just send them to:
hpjmh.com
The following five books and one DVD can be purchased on Amazon for a grand total of less than $60—and will enable you to understand the overwhelming challenges we face—along with the single most-powerful solution of all.
Six-Pack from Hicks—for health, hope & harmony on planet Earth
- Healthy Eating, Healthy World, The “big picture” about food (our book)
- A life changer for millions, including James Cameron. Forks Over Knives DVD
- An essential scientific resource: The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell; the primary book that influenced Bill Clinton to adopt a whole food, plant-based diet.
- What have we done to our planet? Full Planet, Empty Plates by Lester Brown
- A horrifying wake-up call for leaders. TEN BILLION by Dr. Stephen Emmott
- Food choices are the primary cause of our environmental problems, yet our world leaders, scientists & experts are Comfortably Unaware, by Richard Oppenlander.
Why should we be eating mostly plants? The “big picture” in 4 minutes.
Want to find out how healthy your family is eating? Take our free 4Leaf Survey. It takes 2 or 3 minutes and you can score it yourself. After taking the survey, please give me your feedback as it will be helpful in the development of our future 4Leaf app for smartphones. Send feedback to jmorrishicks@me.com
International. We’re now reaching people in over 100 countries. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or get daily blog notices by “following” us in the top of the right-hand column. For occasional updates, join our periodic mailing list.
J. Morris Hicks, working daily to promote health, hope and harmony on planet Earth.
To order more of my favorite books—visit our online BookStore now For help in your own quest to take charge of your health, visit our 4Leaf page and also enjoy some great recipes from Lisa’s 4Leaf Kitchen. Got a question? Let me hear from you at jmorrishicks@me.com. Or give me a call on my cell at 917-399-9700.
—J. Morris Hicks, board member since 2012; click banner for more info:
J. Morris Hicks, engineer. writer. big picture guy. 