UN - Too Much Electronic Waste
All those old wires, cords, tablets, phones and other electronics aren’t just taking up space in drawers and closets—they’re also extensively covering the planet. A United Nations report states the amount of electronic waste is rising substantially faster than those items are being recycled, so much so that right now, that waste could span the equator.
And that figure still growing. The report predicts that an additional 5.7 billion pounds of e-waste is generated every year.
Meanwhile, researchers predict that recycling of the products is only going to decrease. The recycling rate in 2022 was 22.3% and the U.N. believes that number will drop to 20% by 2030, at the same time that the world will generate 82 million metric tons of e-waste.
“Large volumes of rock have to be extracted to produce a substantive amount of the minerals containing the metals,” the report says. “For instance, 3 million kg of mineral ore [6.6 million pounds] have to be mined to produce 1 kg [2.2 pounds] of gold.”
-www.cbsnews.com, 29 March 2024
Arno's Commentary
Effective recycling is practiced by the most advanced nations; strict rules must be implemented. For example, in Switzerland, garbage collectors only pick up trash in prepaid bags or containers, which are very costly. Containers are clearly designated between glass, metal, various plastics, and biodegradables.
While recycling is commendable—also applying to wastewater and air pollution—we realize that UN initiated research is often somewhat exaggerated. While 3 million kilograms (6.6 mil. lbs.) are mined to produce 1 kilogram of gold (2.2 lbs.), that’s just barely scratching the surface of planet earth.
What we do know is that God created all matter, and out of that matter, man has created his own gods. Isaiah proclaims: “They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?” (Isaiah 44:9-10).
Not surprisingly, when speaking of the end times and the horrific judgments of destruction that are to come upon the earth, the population at large does not lament the loss of lives but of material things, according to Revelation 18:11: “And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more.” Thereafter, 28 items are listed, which the world cries about.
Arno Froese is the executive director of Midnight Call Ministries and editor-in-chief of the acclaimed prophetic magazines Midnight Call and News From Israel. He has authored a number of well-received books, and has sponsored many prophecy conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. His extensive travels have contributed to his keen insight into Bible prophecy, as he sees it from an international perspective.
