R

eading Inferno, the latest novel by Dan Brown, I realize how wrong we have been in believing the myth of nature's limitless resources. Unfortunately, this myth ' thanks to Rhonda Byrne's The Secret and its successors ' now believed by most motivators, is actually 'a state of denial', as Brown reminds us.

I quote from the above book: 'The human mind has a primitive ego defense mechanism that negates all realities that produce too much stress for the brain to handle. It is called denial'. Elsewhere: 'Denial is a critical part of the human coping mechanism'.

As also reflected upon by Brown: 'Our current path is a pretty simple formula for destruction. Population growth is an exponential progression occurring within a system of finite space and limited resources.'

Yes, our resources are limited. Indeed, very limited. Our space is limited. Consider the rising cost of properties in all cities across the world, Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan and Denpasar included. These hard facts prove beyond any doubt that the myth of Mother Nature as the source of limitless resources can be very dangerous. It is already leading us to self-destruction.

Haven't we seen, in our own lifetime, the results of over population? A recent survey conducted by some scientists states that each one of us born after 1950 and living up to the age of about 80, will see the world population almost triple in his or her lifetime.

Here are some dates: 1950 - 2,555,982,611; 1970 - 3,706,601,448; 1990 - 5,277,725,410; 2010 - 6,840,423,256; 2030 - 8,224,502,122. Born in the 1970s as I am, by the end of my days, if I live to 80, I shall be part of 9 billion people by 2050.

Do we have enough resources, enough food and water, enough land for housing and for farming to ensure a decent living for all 9 billion in 2050? I doubt it.

We have, in the last few months, watched how the rising costs of meat, onions and chilies have affected our lives. This is happening in Indonesia, where we still have enough land for farming and there is no dearth of clean water for drinking. At least, we still have them to this date. Let us not, however, live under any illusion that this situation shall last forever.

The solutions we are working on only prove that we are in a collective state of denial. We are suffering from collective delusion. Increasing the meat importation quota, regulating the price ' these solutions are not good enough to save us from self-destruction. Cattle farming is one of the main contributors to the rising temperature of the planet. Have we ever thought of that?

In order to stop this onward march to self-destruction, the solution is simple ' that is if we really want a solution ' which is to control the world's population. There shall be 0 percent growth for at least 20-30 years. The number of births shall not exceed the number of deaths. Brown's character suggests the very same solution, albeit forcefully, which will not work. It must be voluntarily, brought about in full awareness for the betterment of life.

Many scientists believe that an ideal world population ' considering our natural resources etc. ' would be 4 billion, to which I add a generous 50 percent more, say up to 6 billion, but no more than that.

Of course, governments would have to facilitate the scheme; all the world's governments would have to come together to do so. Immigration rules would have to be worked out. People from an overpopulated country must be moved to the countries currently under populated with enough resources.

And, it is not just immigration, but also the education system, indeed, all other systems must be perfected to bring about a 'One World Revolution'. A man of the future must be a world citizen, first and foremost a human being, connected fully with the world as one living space. He must think as a world citizen and no longer an Indonesian, Chinese, European, Indian, American, Arab, African or Australian.

The new man must be educated in the environment of oneness, so as to enable him to develop empathy for all living beings.

I firmly believe that self-destruction is not a myth. It is a reality. We all are fast forwarding toward it. But having said that, I also firmly believe that this can be stopped. We can not only stop our march toward self-destruction, but also save the planet and ourselves, save our future generations, and turn this planet into heaven. What is needed is strong will power to make this happen.

The writer is the founder of the Islamic Movement for Non-violence.