Going Green is certainly a desirable goal considering the changes going on in the world today. However, should we not guard against throwing away the advances in technology, transportation and a myriad of other areas we have made since the industrial revolution? Our advance to a "green society" should be made with recognition of the advancements and accomplishments of our fathers and forefathers. In much, much simpler terms, don't throw the baby out with the bath water. Much of the machinations to totally change our way of life by regarding only changes that are aimed toward a greener planet fail to take into consideration the ability and necessity of the planet to change its own environment. There are many ways to promote, change and help our planet to better survive and prosper. Some of those being proposed do not meet nor take into consideration the fact that much can be accomplished by merely using or improving methodology already at hand and would foster regulation and requirements that would alter our way of life we have so diligently built throughout time.
AndyA -- I appreciate your thoughtful comments. The kinds of things I'm seeing in these articles and in more detailed articles and books I'm reading about this are not about abandoning the old ways, but rather seeking new improved ways to implement while phasing out the less efficient, more expensive, more polluting ways. I haven't read anyone claiming that we should go back to the stone ae and forget about industry, technology, prosperity, etc. ALso, a lot of folks writing on this topic fully acknowledge the amazing innovation of our predecessors, while pointing out we mustn't rest on their -- or our -- laurels.
You might enjoy Thomas Freidman's
Hot, Flat and Crowded for a well researched and detailed analysis of where we are and how we got here, followed by with what appear to me to be very good suggestions for how to best to move forward from here. It's all about innovation, competition, market forces, next-gen technology, entrepreneurship, investment, and all that sort of good stuff -- and how to couple it sensibly, logically, workably, with conservation, preservation and restoration of natural ecosystems and services. Also addresses national security from several angles. I am learning a LOT (haven't finished it yet).
