Earth Day and Entropy
| Entropy is the tendency of things to go from organized to disorganized, useful to not useful, maybe even destructive. Scientists tell us everything in nature is moving toward greater entropy. While that is true, the rate of entropy can be affected by us. There is little we can do to prevent or slow down natural entropy but we can, very easily speed up the process, and that is not a good thing. So how do we increase entropy? We do it when we take things from nature and convert them into something non-natural for our comfort and convenience. When we chop down trees for lumber to make houses and furniture we are increasing the entropy of the forest, the rate at which is dissolves into something useless. When we mine metals, gems, and coal, especially strip mining, we are increasing the entropy of the planet. The mine shafts expose metals and other materials to oxygen and other gases that cause rust or other forms of decay, things they would not be exposed to when buried far underground. And, of course, those mine shafts will eventually collapse. When we turn an open field into a strip mall or parking lot, we block off land than can absorb excess water and increase the possibility of flooding in the area and flooding contributes to entropy. When we throw away used goods that could be used by others or recycled into something else useful, we contribute to entropy again because now those needs have to be met by taking more resources from nature. Resources that would not have to be used if we had sold the used items or donated them to charity. I could go on for several pages with examples of how we are contributing to entropy, but I think I’ve made my point. I’m not advising that we give up civilization, move to trees and caves and run around naked, but we can all, including me, do a better job of limiting our consumption of limited resources and consuming them in a more responsible manner. So, on this Earth Day, think of at least one way you can reduce your contribution to entropy, or, if you prefer the more popular terminology, reduce your carbon footprint. |
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Posted by Reverend Harold Boulette at 4/22/2009 4:17 AM 
Categories: Opinion
Tags: earth day carbon footprint entropy
Categories: Opinion
Tags: earth day carbon footprint entropy
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