Blog note. Jesus indicated that ‘fearful sights’ (various natural disasters) would occur leading up to the time known as the Tribulation and Great Tribulation (a combined seven year period of great destruction on earth). Although these types of things have occurred in the past for centuries and thousands of years, they could be identified as the ‘season of the times’ due to the ferociousness of these events. They would be occurring in greater intensity, severity, frequency, size, duration, scope … just like the pains that a woman experiences in labor the farther along she is in the labor process. We are in the ‘season of the times’ that comes just before the seven (7) year Tribulation/Great Tribulation period
… And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11).
… And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)
… Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken; (Luke 21:26)
… This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)
Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for as the age of grace comes to a close. These verses are several of many such prophecies from throughout the Bible. 2017 was the worst year in recorded history for the intensity, frequency, severity, duration and occurrence of a large number of severe natural disasters worldwide. Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, torrential flooding, unprecedented wildfires in unusual places, devastating droughts, excessive/scorching heat setting records everywhere, record snowfalls in Europe and Russia. Snow in the Arabia. This list can go on. Most studied Eschatologists believe these ‘fearful sights’ and massive natural disasters are all part of the ‘CONVERGENCE’ of signs that this Biblical and prophetic age is closing. Most people who study prophecy are familiar with the routine reference(s) made that these things will be like a woman having labor pains that occur in greater severity, frequency, size and duration prior to giving birth. End of note.

Quarter of all deaths worldwide linked to environmental damage and pollution, UN says

Josh Gabbatiss. The Independent•March 13, 2019

One in four deaths that take place worldwide can be linked to pollution and other environmental damage caused by humans, the United Nations has warned.

Polluted drinking water, filthy air and land destroyed by “mega-farms” are among the threats that must be urgently addressed, according to a new report compiled by hundreds of scientists.

Based on data from 2015, they estimated nine million deaths each year can be attributed just to pollution – with outdoor and indoor fumes posing the biggest danger.

The report’s authors warned humanity faces a “bleak future”, as parts of Asia and Africa in particular could see millions more premature deaths in the coming decades.

The gap between rich and poor countries is expected to grow as overconsumption and food waste in the developed world are matched by hunger and the spread of preventable diseases elsewhere.

Pollutants entering freshwater systems could lead to anti-microbial resistance becoming the number one cause of death by the middle of the century as infections become harder to control.

The UN released its Global Environment Outlook, a project six years in the making, at a major meeting in Nairobi on Wednesday.

It draws on hundreds of data sources to establish various factors driving the prevalence of over 100 diseases.

The report concluded preventable environmental problems will “cause approximately 25 per cent of global disease and mortality”.

“The science is clear. The health and prosperity of humanity is directly tied with the state of our environment,” said Joyce Msuya, acting executive director of UN Environment.

“We are at a crossroads.

“Do we continue on our current path, which will lead to a bleak future for humankind, or do we pivot to a more sustainable development pathway? That is the choice our political leaders must make, now.”

The Paris climate agreement was established in 2015 as a strategy to address climate change, with nations committing to cut their carbon emissions and hold back soaring global temperatures.

But while awareness of climate change’s catastrophic impacts grows, there is no equivalent agreement by nations to deal with the other environmental challenges facing the planet.

Negotiations taking place at the current UN environment assembly are expected to focus on critical issues including tackling food waste and plastic pollution in the oceans.

However, the team behind the new report said that most of the policies and technologies that can help avoid the worst already exist.

“What is currently lacking is the political will to implement policies and technologies at a sufficient speed and scale,” said Joyeeta Gupta, who co-led the report’s production.

According to their analysis, investing 2 per cent of each nation’s GDP would ensure economic growth continues while avoiding much of the impact of climate change, water loss and habitat destruction.

The UN team called for nations to take responsibility for the harm they are causing and implement such policies as soon as possible.