In my System Change post, I explained man's impact on earth and raised a number of questions we should all ask ourselves. That is, if you are at all concerned about the fate of the planet, nature and the future of the children and grandchildren of humanity. Perhaps even your own children and grandchildren...?

The most important question, in my opinion: Do you know what your ecological footprint is? I think it is the most essential question we should ask ourselves as individuals, as families, groups and as society.

Why? Because everyone should realize that we cannot continue to fail to live within the earth's limits, consuming more and creating more waste than the earth can handle. It is extremely important to realize what your ecological footprint is, expressed in earths. So it indicates how many earths humanity would need if everyone lived the way you do...

Deficiencies and excesses

And if that number is higher than 1, it means that you use more than the earth can provide and create more waste than the earth can process. And because we only have one earth, someone else will have to consume much less to ensure that you can continue to live as you do. If your ecological footprint is 4 earths, as is (on average) the case for almost everyone in the rich Western countries, then 4 people will go hungry, simply put.

The political and public debate and all the information we get about the state of the earth carefully avoid the one topic that could really do something about the rapidly deteriorating health of the earth: getting a grip on completely out-of-control human consumption.

Why is this not THE issue?

Because it would be bad for corporate profits? Or because it requires honest and very brave politicians telling you man's impact on earth is far to big? That consuming MUST be drastically reduced, and that that message is bad for political careers? Because you and I know that would require us to confront ourselves with our own overconsumption and work hard to consume less, much less?

All three?

Yes, in my humble opinion.

'System Change (2)' is an artwork in my collection 'Drowned Earth'.

Prints are also available in my Saatchi Art portfolio at the artwork page or contact me for a quote.

ALL WE NEED IS LESS CONSUMING

Through my artworks I ask you to reflect for a moment on the nature around you, on the beautiful feeling that nature can evoke. Thus to think about your actions to support the wellbeing of the earth and everything that lives on it. And on what humanity loses when many of us continue on the destructive path of ever more greed and consuming. And please, reflect on how you can survive in this rapidly changing world…

So do you want to know your ecological footprint? 

Then visit this website: https://www.footprintcalculator.org/home/en 

And do you want to reduce your ecological footprint?

Then ask me, I will help you. For free. Or simply visit my website and choose in the menu for Your Footprint.

And if you appreciate my writings and art and want to support me, you can buy me a piece of fruit here: https://ko-fi.com/jacobberghoef, thank you 🍏 !

So are you interested in more? Then read what I wrote about System Change, Man's impact on the earth, Organic Change, Regenerative Agriculture, Regeneration