Dear Editor,

It appears much of humanity ignores the problems facing our earth unless it directly affects them.

"Read the paper? No it contains nothing but bad news," is an oft repeated remark when approaching a subject.

The same thing is applicable to all forms of news coverage, because unless it has a bearing on their immediate future, like the cost of gas, for instance,many are just not interested.

Of course there are a few individuals who do keep up with current affairs, and they seem to be the more intelligent.

However, those less endowed with curiosity are probably the happier of the two groups, as the overall view of worldly conditions is grim.

The earth cannot sustain the ever-increasing number of humans. Fresh water is depleting and desert-like conditions are growing rapidly as the climate warms. If the millions of beings in other lands lived in our lavish lifestyle, scientists warn, it would take the resources of another three earth-sized planets to produce the resources necessary to sustain life.

Apart from a few other potentially life-extinguishing facts such as the seas becoming more saline and polluted and its life-sustaining coral beds dying, there is the distinct likelihood of thermonuclear war that would be the Armageddon of all.

Oh, well, let us all ignore the things that we individuals have not the power to change. Let us all enjoy the facts that we will now be able to purchase items from the new American superstores.

Mike Harvey, Langley