[sustran] Re: FW: [sustran] Re: sustainable transport vision for Hong Kong -collaborator needed

[Lake Sagaris]

One interesting factor in this population vis a vis the environment debate 
that doesn't get mentioned very often, is the fact that developed countries 
have virtually zero population growth rates (and some countries have 
negative rates). This makes development (however we define it) a crucial 
goal if we are to improve how we care for our environment in an ethical, 
fair and humane fashion. Immigration policies also become relevant when 
this reality is taken into account.

Best,
Lake

Lake Sagaris
Ciudad Viva (Living City)
Santiago, Chile


At 10:00 AM 29/03/01 -0500, you wrote:

>Pascal,
>
>Perhaps you can explain the irony you intend; there is more than one way to
>interpret your message.
>
>I see two currently possible ways to achieve a sustainable world population,
>the option I prefer is increase efficiency by at least an order of
>magnitude; the other is to continue the present course, run out of energy,
>and have a wholesale dieoff situation and a series of bloody wars.  A third
>possibility is that we will develop limitless energy sources, or aliens will
>rescue us.
>
>It sounds like you might "push the button" and wipe out the USA, if given
>the chance, just to jump-start the second scenario.  Seriously though, I
>believe that through technical advancement bulk consumer nations like in the
>USA can continue to enjoy the present standard of living while using less
>than 5 percent of the fossil energy per person; and undeveloped nations can
>enjoy the same standard, and have the time and resources to achieve some
>satisfaction from life other than wanton procreation.
>
>BTW, I have not stated that there are too many people; I make the
>observation that the current growth rate is not sustainable.  I believe that
>everyone on this list shares this observation.
>
>Best Regards,
>
>Daryl Oster, et3.com Inc.    <www.et3.com>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org
>[mailto:owner-sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org]On Behalf Of Pascal Desmond
>Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 4:40 AM
>To: sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org
>Subject: [sustran] FW: [sustran] Re: sustainable transport vision for Hong
>Kong -collaborator needed
>
>Like Daryl Oster, I think there are far too many people on the planet. I
>believe that there are some 300 million to many and nearly all of them live
>in the United States of America.
>
>Kind regards
>Pascal Desmond
>
>P.S. Don't tell Daryl, but this is IRONY