Read my lips: doomsday is not imminent!!!

[Swamp Fox]

I'm soooo upset. I just saw a "documentary" by David Suzuki, a Canadian scientist turned TV celebrity, where he bashes economics and economic growth, saying that economists don't take into account the environment and economic growth will hurt us. Well, without economic growth, people will be poor - hence the desperation of so many Third World countries to develop. As for hurting the environment, well, they said there would be a scarcity of resources, but, as a famous bet between an economist and an environmentalist has shown, prices of raw materials were lower than before.

The environmentalist lost but won't double or nothing. (http://www.overpopulation.com/faq/People/julian_simon.html)

I'm sooo upset - what a way to ruin my new year.

[Piobaireachd]

I'm soooo upset. I just saw a "documentary" by David Suzuki, a Canadian scientist turned TV celebrity, where he bashes economics and economic growth, saying that economists don't take into account the environment and economic growth will hurt us.
I watched quite a bit of Suzuki. He's entertaining, but I have to put him into the "it's just an opinion" catagory. I take it for what it's worth. Nobody has a clue what economic growth will do to the environment, but I'd rather have growth rather than the alternative.

I wouldn't lose any sleep over what Suzuki's opinion is.

[RetFireCapt]

AFAIC, Suzuki has slipped into "PETA" status in the last 8 years. I've lost a lot of respect for his postulations.

[cdw]

speaking of third world countries. Of all the countries on the list, with all the help they have been given, had any ever been removed from the list?

[Frodo Lives]

speaking of third world countries. Of all the countries on the list, with all the help they have been given, had any ever been removed from the list?


Probably about the same percentage as those that get off of welfare. Not very many I would think.

[Swamp Fox]

speaking of third world countries. Of all the countries on the list, with all the help they have been given, had any ever been removed from the list?

Lots of countries - the country of my birth, Singapore, for one, as well as Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, rose to First-World status, and, increasingly, India, China, and Vietnam are doing the same, not to mention the countries of Eastern Europe. This is something to be proud of, and this is something that is not often mentioned.

In fact, across the Third World, infant mortality rates have been dropping, so there is hope for the future.

http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3500269

[archidante]

I'm soooo upset. I just saw a "documentary" by David Suzuki, a Canadian scientist turned TV celebrity, where he bashes economics and economic growth, saying that economists don't take into account the environment and economic growth will hurt us. Well, without economic growth, people will be poor - hence the desperation of so many Third World countries to develop. As for hurting the environment, well, they said there would be a scarcity of resources, but, as a famous bet between an economist and an environmentalist has shown, prices of raw materials were lower than before.

The environmentalist lost but won't double or nothing. (http://www.overpopulation.com/faq/People/julian_simon.html)

I'm sooo upset - what a way to ruin my new year. Suzuki
is spewing rubbish. Wealthy nations are enourmously better stewards of the enviroment-even marginal differences in wealth produce huge differences in their ability to care for nature. One can see that from space where Hiati's deforested land is brown and eroding into the sea, and Santa Domingo (the other half of the same landmass) remains forested. Scientists, environmental organizarions, government stewardship, the reasearch and development of medicines for animals-all these things take MONEY. Preindsutrial people, and third world nations don't study biomes they rip them down. Brazils actions contrast with the American forestry industry clearly-the wealthy nation is a steward, the poorer nation rapine.
Human intelligence is a product of nature, not an abberation of it. In the larger scheme of things, from massive asteroids colliding into the Earth, to the suns eventualy burning out, it will be human intelligence that protects the other species on this planet, and eventually has to ark them to other worlds. That's the reality. We can wish life on this planet is eternally safe without our intervention-but it's not the truth, and we can wish the sun will go on shining for all eternity-but that's not the truth either.
The truth is that the continued long term existence of life and sentience in the universe, of flowers and deer and lovers and children, of forests and savannah and birds and bees is utterly dependent on human science and initiative. That these things have managed to survive this long in an asoundingly hostile universe full of asteroids, radition flares, supernova, and colliding stars is a miracle would should bank NOT on indefinitely.

[Swamp Fox]

There's cause for optimism. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,142872,00.html)

[cdw]

Why thank you Stanley... I asked because I heard some guy on TV, who's name escapes me at the moment, but he used to be in the Senate or something and is now on TV, made the statement that there are no third world countries that ever get off the list. I'm glad you cleared that up for me, and yes, it is something to be proud of...for all of us, those helping and those with the determination in those countries to get out of the muck and mire. Good on 'em! :)