So, congrats to "the Inconvenient Truth" for winning an Oscar. I'd encourage anyone who hasn't watched this movie to rent it soon. The documentary is very educational and such an eye opener, yet it leaves you feeling motivated rather than doomed.

Speaking of the environment...
One of the consequences of environmental damage that isn't mentioned very often is its impact of global security in terms of war. This is one of the topics I've been reading up on for my exam tomorrow.

Consider that as desertification moves slowly (or quickly) across parts of Africa, the competition for usable land becomes more intense. The amount of land available for farming and grazing has been cited as a source of conflict in Sudan.

Control over sources of water has created a huge amount of tension in the Middle East -- I never knew this. Part of the 1967 war was over attempts to divert some rivers that feed Israel.

Environmental decay also causes instability. Heart-breaking events such as floods/tsunamis/hurricanes/etc take away people's land (and lives), creating refugees and mass migration and straining the resources of neighbouring countries.

Even things like pollution causing illness will eventually lead to economic decline as people are less productive. Poverty, instability -- these factors undermine international security.

So do your part everyone and take care of our planet. Environmental damage is harmful is so many ways.