"Woe to those who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is no more room, and you are made to dwell alone in the midst of the land." (Isaiah 5.8 RSV)

The ravaging of the countryside in the interests of urbanisation appeared to be going on even so far back as the days of Isaiah but most certainly not on the scale that it is today. It has been computed that in Great Britain thousands of acres of good agricultural land disappear each year under roads, houses, factories, etc. If anyone protests they are met with 'you can't stand in the way of progress'. Is it progress to disaster? Life depends upon the soil that brings forth plants and as the area available for food production diminishes so difficulty and cost of production for a growing population increase. Those lost thousands of acres, properly managed, would provide enough food to sustain many thousands of people and enough oxygen to meet the breathing needs of nearly as many. It is of little use suggesting that there are plenty of open spaces elsewhere in the world to produce all the food and oxygen we are ever likely to need. Food that comes from overseas has to be paid for. Alarm bells have long been ringing concerning the world's oxygen resources that have been depleted by the fast rate of fuel consumption and other industrial processes. There has been for some time a real danger that we shall suffocate before we starve. Almost every part of the world has become over industrialised. Modern luxury living, indulgent and wasteful, continues to intensify everywhere. There is a general failure on the part of world leaders, political and commercial, to realise how very delicately balanced human life is on Earth. The balance of the ecological system is adjusted to suit the existence of plant and animal life. If the distance to Earth from the Sun varied only slightly the habitable area for mankind would be greatly reduced. The amount of sunlight needed by plants yet tolerable to mankind is important. To maintain air in satisfactory condition the ratio between land and ocean must be just right. The diameter of the Earth is critical to give right force of gravity. The orderly life of mankind is possible because the Creator fixed these limits. So also was the balance of materials and products that the Earth provides. It may be that in human endeavours to produce a synthetic environment we are committing slow racial suicide. One day we shall need to return to a more natural way of life. Maybe Isaiah foresaw a time when man will not only build his own house and live in it but will also plant his own vineyard and eat the fruit of it.

Adapted from an article by AOH 1974

Since the above was written there has been growing concern about the sustainability of modern ways of life. Yet in spite of the fact that it is clear to scientists that changes in our life style are vital for the continuance of life on Earth, those with political and industrial power persist in ignoring the warnings and pursue their objectives of power and wealth. Those who put their trust in God, alone can have hope for the future of life on Earth. It is good that He who was first responsible for the making of our Universe can also provide the means of escape from the present ecological disaster. Sin is strangely illogical.

 "How many are your works, O Lord, In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both large and small… These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. (Psalm 104, 24-27 NIV)