Taken from the Impartial Reporter, 24th April 2008.

Rodney Edwards
e-mail: rodney@rodneyedwards.co.uk

We’re always being told that the world is about to end, yet, it never does. We’re constantly being asked to use less plastic bags, drive electric cars and ensure our apple cores and bean tins are separated from the green and blue bin – all in “our bit” to save the planet from being boiled and the polar bears from sinking. And don’t forget how we must “cut back” on the spraying of deodorant or polish before the sun, according to those in the know; falls out of the sky.

Yet somehow, surrounded by a haze of Lynx Africa and Mr Muscle, we’re still here. And the government, hippies and Bono are still pondering on how to save the world from this so-called “meltdown”. Now the World Meteorological Organisation has waded in to calm the whole thing down a bit, by admitting; that the world will actually cool down a bit this year. The news will certainly throw scientists into a spin after scaremongering the public about global warming for many, many years. But let’s face it; the threat of the end of time will always be gravely inflated and we will constantly be reminded that we’re all going to die. If not from global warming, then from Bird Flu or just from watching too much reality TV.

Furthermore, hoards and hoards of nauseating so-called celebrities will continue to jump onboard the latest “save the world” band wagon – and for many of the fame-seekers, they’ll do it in the hope, that it’ll make them look good and sell whatever it is they’re plugging. After the much publicised Live Earth (the cheap-imitation of Live Aid and Live eight) one very famous rock band front man is quoted as saying; “I don’t know much about the cause but it did wonders for our album sales”. I rest my case.

It only gets more and more ridiculous when the whole “saving” process goes local and rural places like Fermanagh are asked do their bit. How a small area such as this county can single-handily prevent the world from going bang is anyone’s guess. But fair play, they do try. Although, I’ve yet to see a local farmer, barefoot, peddling a battery powered tractor and cutting the silage with a pair of hedge clippers. And I wait, with baited breath, for the day that Fermanagh councillors rollerblade into work, wearing a solar powered helmet and munching on a piece of organic rhubarb for breakfast.

Here’s a mad idea. How about we individuals focus on the matters in hand, instead of worrying about something that might never happen - serious issues that should be addressed are the issues that affect us right now. World poverty, the war in Iraq and around the globe, terrorism, racism, sectarianism, bullying, corruption, debt, eating disorders and terminal illnesses- and that list is just of the top of my head. There are far more serious problems with society to consider. Think about that the next time you worry about what bin to put your yogurt pot in or whether or not your potato skin sandals go with your daffodil-encrusted sunhat.

Rodney Edwards presents the Bigger Breakfast Show 7-11am, Mon-Fri on Vibe FM 105.3FM.

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