THINK BEFORE CONSUMPTION

I am completely bewildered by mankind.  We have such potential and are capable of so much care, love and compassion — yet we seem to be stumbling in the dark. I fear if we don’t have a huge shift in global consciousness very soon we are destined for some very difficult times ahead.

I can see three major issues that I believe are not only holding us back as a species, but also doing irreparable damage: our behavior regarding marginalised groups — like the GLBTQ community and many others; our treatment of animals; and our total lack of respect and care for our planet — a home which we share with so many other inhabitants. Each of these are close to my heart and worthy of many words, but as this is our environmental issue I’m going to concentrate on the latter.

It seems to me that many of us have lost our connection to the earth — our home. We’re so caught up with our lives, work and the consumption of stuff, that I believe we have become unaware of what’s really going on around us. I could fill this magazine with thousands of examples of this disconnection when it comes to the environmental, but I think just one example will make my point.

Much of our waste today is comprised of plastic — which is made from petroleum, a material that the Earth cannot digest — yet we still continue to consume it without much thought. Every bit of plastic that has ever been created still exists (except for a small amount that has been incinerated, releasing toxic chemicals into the atmosphere instead).

Most of us are unaware that massive amounts of this plastic and other waste has been accumulating in the ocean. In some areas plastic to sea life ratios are 6:1. The largest of these garbage swills is known as The Great Garbage Patch, it is roughly the size of Texas (and a lot more interesting) and contains approximately 3.5 million tons of trash. As far as the eye can see, there are electronic parts, packaging, bags, toys, car tyres, condoms and bottles too numerous to count, all floating midway between Hawaii and San Francisco and it’s growing every day.

This is just one of many silent ecological disasters we not only ignore but add to every day and something for each of us to consider when living our lives. Our environmental problems are many and no matter what we think, it will reach a tipping point — if substantial change is not made — that may change things forever.

In this issue, FUSE asks Shane Rattenbury if the Greens have some solutions for our environmental and social woes. We explore whether our minority love make us more green; find out why sex helps reduce carbon pollution; and look at why the Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme may just make things worse.

I know I’ve been a bit doom and gloom in this month’s editorial, but I think sometimes we need to be reminded of the serious state our planet is in.

On an up-note then, you may have noticed that next month FUSE will be ONE — how exciting is that! So April 10 you’re all invited to the FUSE Big Birthday Bash  at Tilley’s. We’ve got some great entertainment lined up so be sure to come along, it’s going to be a great night. More info inside front cover!

Enjoy, Alex

FUSE ONLINE

It’s our big birthday and 2010 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras photo issue — see all the glamour and glitz! Does our minority love make us more likely to stand up for other marginalised causes and groups? Does it make us more green? Find out how having sex reduces carbon pollution and why it’s good for the environment and for you. Fight for legal equality escalates. Aiming to make same-sex marriage a major issue in 2010 elections. Plus we talk to Shane Rattenbury about Pink and green politics, Check out Boy George, Avril Lavigne, Calvin Klein and much more. Enjoy FUSE Magazine Issue 11. (VIEW GIRL COVER)