For the Children

In her first year as a member of the Australian Girls’ Choir my daughter learnt an environmental hymn, ‘For the Children’. Through the words of this song we are challenged to preserve the beauty and diversity of the creation for future generations. Salination, polluted and silted waterways, growing problems with waste disposal and a growing number of species on the endangered and threatened lists are current realities. Although scientists are divided over the issue, there is a real possibility that human activity is contributing to global warming.

In the book ‘Corporate Collapse’ Steven Cohen and Damien Grace argue that increased regulation is not the answer to unethical corporate behaviour. Fundamental to an organisation achieving high ethical standards is a desire and commitment from the top to do so. Regulation has a role. Sydney-siders have been warned for some time of dwindling water supplies. Water restrictions with their accompanying threat of fines will encourage some of us to become more frugal consumers. Real changes in the way we care for our environment will only take place when we have a genuine desire for and commitment to its care.

We all know things we can do to be more environmentally responsible. Unfortunately it is sometimes cheaper and more convenient to do otherwise. Green power and green bags cost more – and you have to remember to take the bags. The car is often quicker and more convenient than public transport. While all of us can and should make an effort to reduce our environmental impact our response will be determined to some extent by our economic and other circumstances. There is one thing we can all do that would have a significant impact.

Neil Nedley’s book “Proof Positive: How to Reliably Combat Disease and Achieve Optimal Health through Nutrition and Lifestyle” contains the following data – converted from Imperial to Metric. It takes 4.8 kg of feed to produce 1 kg of beef. Every kilogram of beef requires 3564 litres of water, compared to 574 litres for a kilogram of wheat. If the total world population consumed meat at a similar rate to that in America or Australia world grain production would need to increase by 150% over current production for all purposes. Livestock produce between 15-20% of the world’s total methane production – one of the three major green house gases. Livestock production is linked to deforestation and the loss of habitat, soil erosion, river siltation and pollution. A marked reduction in meat consumption would have significant environmental benefits and result in improved health outcomes simultaneously.

My daughter enjoys visiting the zoo. As I walk around the enclosures I am saddened to see the number of animals whose survival is threatened. What legacy are we leaving our children and our children’s children? Will they thank us if the only experience they have of pandas, tigers and koalas is in a virtual reality zoo? The choices we make today will determine the legacy we leave future generations.

(September 2003)