Digging the Earth and Killing the Future
By Steve Kinsman, 2nd Mar 2012 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutNewsEnvironment
Mineral extraction is wreaking havoc upon the earth and causing irreparable damage.
Raping our Mother
A new report by the Gaia Foundation, with support from several groups, including Friends of the Earth International, Grain, Oilwatch and Navdanya (India), draws attention to the devastating impact land grabbing and mineral extraction is having upon the earth's ecosystem. The report, titled Opening Pandora's Box - A New Wave of Landgrabbing for the Extractive Industries and the Devastating Impact on Earth, reveals that the amount of increase in world mineral extraction over the past ten years is staggering. All over Latin America, Asia and Africa, rivers and ecosystems are being poisoned and despoiled. Millions of acres are being ruined by mining activities, and each new wave of extraction requires unimaginable amounts of water to extract the minerals from their source.
The thirst for these minerals is a threat to the very basic necessities of life: clean air, water, fertile soils and food. Moreover, the landgrabbing and extractive methods employed are trampling the rights of farmers and indigenous communities all over the third world. Of course, these problems are being completely ignored by the industrial and economic powers that profit from these activities.
The report reveals that over the last decade, iron ore production has increased by 180%, cobalt by 165%, lithium by 125%, and coal by 44%. If governmental concessions such as selling land dirt cheap and giving enormous tax breaks continue, this massive acceleration in landgrabbing and extraction will continue unabated.
The reports authors write "We live on a beautiful and wondrous planet - the only one we know of in our cosmos. She suddenly feels very small and vulnerable in the face of the momentum of destruction we have unleashed on her, through our conscious and unconscious actions."
Preview photo from thinkstock.com
Comments
3rd Mar 2012 (#)
This is a heartbreaking read Steve..Have they no thought of the long term damage they are doing? Is greed just making them blind? It is a crime that so much power is in the big business hands.. There is no thought to the consequences at all to this planet of ours..
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3rd Mar 2012 (#)
Yes, it is heartbreaking, and yes, they have no thought of the long term damge tey're doing, and yes, greed is making them blind, and yes, they give no thought to the consequences.
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3rd Mar 2012 (#)
We are hurtling towards the inevitable - the destruction of our home (the world). Only divine intervention can save us.
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3rd Mar 2012 (#)
You may be right Ivyevelyn. Thank you.
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3rd Mar 2012 (#)
Very well put. Your words speak for themselves.
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3rd Mar 2012 (#)
Thank you ittech. That is a very nice compliment.
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3rd Mar 2012 (#)
It's always painful to read how much destruction these greedy people inflict on Mother Earth. Thanks, Steve, for sharing.
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3rd Mar 2012 (#)
Thank you for commenting Buzz.
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4th Mar 2012 (#)
We are robbing from our children and leaving them a less hospitable planet. What we have to give them in abundant measure is love and time - that do not cost anything. Sadly, our priorities are lopsided; and none to rein in the excesses. Is there a way out? Who will bell the cat? We lack leaders with foresight and gumption. A one way journey to the bowels of the earth! Thanks for this thoughtful report, Steve - siva
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4th Mar 2012 (#)
Thank you Siva. You've hit the nail on the head with your comment. Thank you.
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30th Apr 2012 (#)
Mining activities do destroy the earth and they cause earthquakes and other calamities to happen.
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30th Apr 2012 (#)
Yes, indeed they do. Thanks for commenting rarity.
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