My comment: Since some decades ago we are living the rise of a new civilization. I date its birth in October 1973 and its inception in 1968. But I do not plan to dispute dates. I just dispute what this new civilization is about.
Climate change is just one among many reasons. With or without climate change we, humankind, have to change our patterns and behaviours. Because infinite growth is not posible in a finite planet. That is a fact, not an option. Once societies reach a certain level of welbeing, the top priority has to be sustainability. That is not an option, it is responsibility toward humankind and toward their own citizens. Infinite growth is not posible in a finite planet. Somehow, humankind understands that principle by itself. It seems to be part of our DNA. At a certain level of development population starts its decline. Births are below decease level even while life expectancy lasts longer and longer. Yet we have not seen its sustainable level in any country, we have to expect that decline stops a point that may grant social and economic sustainability. Global scarcity of commodities to satisfy demand is a global trend. Efficiency in its use, recycling, smart consumption, etc. are not just good, they are the top priorities and technologies to make it real the top technologies in the near future. It is not an option. Peace and best wishes. Xi China restricts production of two minerals over reserve, environment concerns http://english.gov.cn/2010-01/03/content_1502106.htm China has begun to restrict the mining and production of refractory clay and fluorite over concerns about reserve decrease and environmental pollution, said the General Office of the State Council in a notice. The government would implement comprehensive measures, which involve taxation, production planning management, industry entry standards and export policies, for the restriction. Land and resources authorities would enhance efforts to address problems in refractory clay and fluorite mining, and would not accept applications for new prospecting and mining projects starting from Jan. 2. The central government ordered authorities to promote industrial restructuring, close down backward production facilities, and implement strict industry entry regulations to avoid blind investments. The notice says the industry entry standards for refractory clay and fluorite enterprises would be published on March 1 this year with immediate effect. The notice also calls for intensified customs efforts to crack down on smuggling and supervision on refuse ore treatment. The government plans to raise the rate of resource tax on the two minerals. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "World-thread" group. To post to this group, send email to world-thr...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to world-thread+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/world-thread?hl=en.
