On April 20th, 2010, the world stood still in shock as one of the largest manmade disasters in human history shattered the globe. The explosion of the “Deepwater Horizon” killed eleven men and opened the way for about 670,000 tons of oil to stream into one of the most vital and vulnerable spots of our aquatic system. While politicians, conglomerates, lawyers and insurance companies were fighting over indemnity for damages and recrimination, about 800,000 birds, 167,000 sea turtles, more than 1,400 marine mammals, millions of fishes and about 8.3 billion oysters perished. The economic loss in numbers: tourism ~$23 billion, commercial fisheries ~$247 million, according to some up to $8,5 billion. Estimates suggest that the damage caused to the habitats on the ocean floor could take centuries to recover, just as the populations of the endangered species that were greatly damaged by the spill. The world oceans are the foundation for a all life on earth, providing oxygen, food and livelihoods.
The devastation caused by droughts and flooding to communities, the agricultural sector and global food security is not the only problem we're facing from the increase in severe weather conditions. The reduction of the Arctic sea ice and melting of permafrost not only sets free long forgotten viruses, germs and pathogens, but also rises the sea levels further. Low-sea-level cities like Mumbai, Shanghai and Miami are already sinking and at great risk. For Islands like Tuvalu, 40 centimeters increase will be enough to become uninhabitable. Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity. At the rate we're going, about 4.7 million hectares of forests are destroyed each year, about a million species of Flora and fauna are on the brink of extinction, threatening the lives of millions. The restoration of the environment and our ecosystems, the protection of wildlife and biodiversity as well as massive climate action through sustainable development are vital to end poverty and restore peace.
There are many solutions to turn this ship around and repair what we have destroyed. And, environmental protection and climate action have the power to unite nations in a common goal. At PLeace Awaken we align ourselves with people and organizations who set themselves the goal to develop projects for regions worldwide, who envision an energy supply from a 100% sustainable source and to develop, standardize and distribute safe green products that solve environmental catastrophes such as oil spills, freshwater pollution and the global plastic contamination. Our challenge is to identify and find sustainable solutions, so that our children, animals and natural habitats around the world can flourish again. Resources like energy, fresh water, and food must be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
New methods have been developed to convert mines into carbon sinks and biotopes, to flourish with fishes, insects and butterflies. Forests and trees can be planted to manipulate rainfall patterns and prevent corrosion. Almost extinct species can be revived with new methods of embryo transfers and coral reefs with transplants. Forests can be replenished by persistent communities, soil can be cleaned and sanitized, and water can be filtered and redirected. BUT WE HAVE TO MOVE! We have to mobilize millions, across communities, nations and continents. We only have this one earth, this one home.
"We did not inherit this earth from our parents. We borrowed it from our children!"