Column: “The Earth's bill is coming.”

In a previous column, I wrote about becoming more aware of nature. Yet in practice, I still see little change. We talk about it, we share messages, we nod in agreement, but real change? That often fails to happen.

It is often said: "The heavens are the Lord’s, and the earth He has given to mankind." But if you look honestly at what we have done with that earth, it is sometimes simply heartbreaking. It is not something to be proud of, rather something to reflect on, perhaps even to be ashamed of.

What you see today is that humans often behave arrogantly. As if we stand above the earth instead of on it. As if we can do and undo, break and build whatever we want on this world. The reality is simple: we only have one earth, yet we behave as if we have several. And that is exactly where the problem lies: we know it, but we do not act accordingly.

1. The role of commerce plays a major

   part in the pollution of our planet. Products are mass-produced: faster, cheaper, and more, but what is left behind? Waste. Damage. Depletion.

   Take plastic as an example. In some countries, steps are being taken, such as deposit systems, but in other countries the problem is barely addressed. There, convenience wins over responsibility.

   Governments should play a much larger role. Not only regulating, but also actively engaging in dialogue with companies. Because as long as profit remains more important than sustainability, this problem will continue to exist. This is not a local issue, this is a global problem that requires joint solutions.

2. But this also applies to water pollution and the shifting of problems. Water pollution caused by substances such as PFAS, mercury and cyanide has enormous consequences. For nature, for animals, and ultimately for ourselves. Rivers become polluted, drinking water comes under pressure, ecosystems fall out of balance.

   What is perhaps even more worrying is: we do not solve the problem, we move it. What is no longer allowed here happens elsewhere. As if that makes the problem disappear. Meanwhile, everyone points at each other, while real responsibility is lacking. Large companies, in combination with governments, play a key role in this problem, while that is exactly where change should begin.

3. We are increasingly turning our gaze upwards to space. Satellites, rockets, new technologies. Developments that symbolize progress, but which are rarely critically examined.

   What is the impact of this in the long term? How sustainable are these activities? And who oversees this? When we talk about climate change, we must be honest and look at the full picture. These “extraterrestrial” activities are also part of it. More control, better legislation, and thorough research are not a luxury, but a necessity.

4. Forests are disappearing at a pace that is hard to keep up with. Not because we do not know it, but because the demand for raw materials, agricultural land, and economic growth continues to increase. Deforestation is not a separate problem. It is the result of the choices we make. Commercial interests also play a major role here. And although everyone seems to agree that it must stop, real action remains absent. The question is not whether we see the problem, but whether we are willing to do something about it. Because as long as demand continues to grow, pressure on nature will remain.

How do you slow this down? That is perhaps the most difficult question of all.

Because honestly: it means we have to say “no.” No to overconsumption. No to convenience. No to a lifestyle in which everything must always be more and faster. Rich countries bear a major responsibility here. They consume the most and therefore should also change the most. It is also only fair that countries contributing to CO2 absorption and nature protection are supported in this.

But we cannot shift everything onto “the big players.” We, as individuals, also play a role. And yes, that may seem small. But small does not mean unimportant. The idea that your contribution “does not make a difference anyway” may be the biggest obstacle of all. Because if everyone thinks that, nothing will change. Nothing will change.

But imagine the opposite. What if more and more people start living more consciously? What if small choices: less waste, more conscious consumption, more careful treatment of nature, become the norm?

Then movement will arise.

In conclusion, it starts with awareness, but it does not end there. It requires action. Choices. Responsibility. We do not live separate from the earth, we are part of it. And how we treat the earth ultimately determines how it treats us. So ask yourself that question, and be honest about it:

What are you doing differently today for the world of tomorrow?

If this column has inspired you, feel free to share it or show appreciation by clicking on the heart button below.