Let's heal the world together through the power of we
uBuntu is the cornerstone of African culture. In every culture in Africa you will find a similar concept in the version of that country or culture having the same principles and values as uBuntu. uBuntu loosely interpreted means I am because we are, I am because you are! It refers to the circle of life, not only the fact that as people we exist through others but it extends to each and every life form on earth.
Some of the major problems faced that we are currently grappling with as humanity are the following;
1. Water Crisis
Water - the essential ingredient for life on this planet – is becoming an increasingly scarce resource. According to the World Bank and World Health Organization, 2 billion people lack access to clean water and 1 billion people do not have enough to even meet their daily needs.
Every day an increasing amount of pollution seeps into rivers and lakes making them toxic to humans, and underground aquifers – our most significant sources of water – are being depleted at an alarming rate.
By 2050 the number of people on the planet is projected to exceed 9 billion, and if current trends continue more and more useable water will be lost. Making an adequate supply of water available to everyone alive today is a monumental task, and ensuring that there is enough water for all future generations will require an unprecedented level of international cooperation and compassion. (from the Arlington Institute World Biggest Problems)
2. Species Extinction
Modern science has shown that nature is not always “red in tooth and claw”, but rather that cooperation is often the norm. Human beings often act as if we are in direct competition with every other form of life, when in truth our very survival depends on a myriad of species from simple bacteria to complex mammals.
Today, human activities are causing a massive extinction of species, the full implications of which are barely understood. Rising ocean temperatures reduce the ability of plankton to reproduce, thereby undermining the entire oceanic ecosystem. Commercial fishing’s increasing size and scope threaten to empty of the ocean of fish within several decades.
Modern agricultural practices strip the Earth of its thin layer of topsoil through water and wind erosion, destroying this precious micro ecosystem that takes centuries to form and supports all life on land. Furthermore, bee populations are plummeting as a result of mite infestations and a mysterious problem called Colony Collapse Disorder. Over 70% of our food is pollinated by bees; if bee populations fall too far, our food supplies will be seriously threatened.
3. Rapid Climate Change
The global warming debate, despite having vociferous proponents on each side, appears to have been decided. Global warming is very real, and it is the preeminent danger to human civilization today. The rising global temperature threatens to create catastrophic weather systems, crop failures, disease outbreaks, and water shortages worldwide.
Emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are trapping heat within the Earths’ atmosphere, slowly increasing the overall temperature.These emissions are the byproduct of our modern way of life, and to halt them would require a voluntary shift in the very structure of our society, a move unprecedented in human history.
To not take action, however, would be to alter the very chemical composition of our planet. Life on Earth evolved over hundreds of millions of years to survive within very specific conditions, and those conditions are changing. (from the Arlington Institute World Biggest Problems)
Emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are trapping heat within the Earths’ atmosphere, slowly increasing the overall temperature.These emissions are the byproduct of our modern way of life, and to halt them would require a voluntary shift in the very structure of our society, a move unprecedented in human history.
To not take action, however, would be to alter the very chemical composition of our planet. Life on Earth evolved over hundreds of millions of years to survive within very specific conditions, and those conditions are changing. (from the Arlington Institute World Biggest Problems)
Today is blog action day and the theme is "the power of we". uBuntu echoes this concept very well. It is important for us to come together and speak with one voice to heal the world problems. There is nothing that can't be done, if we use the power of we and raise our voices as one. We need to respect all living things on the earth and instil back in our communities the importance of taking only what you need from the earth and leaving the rest. The greed and selfishness promoted by capitalism and the western culture has led us to these and many more problems in the world. We need to change our ways, we need to acknowledge the fact that our ancestors were wiser than us because they knew and understood the importance of the circle of life. We need to go back and learn from our ancient and indigenous cultures in hopes of discovering ways to heal our world. We need to never forget that the earth is not ours, it is not ours to misuse and squander, it belongs to our children.
Comments