What can we do about China and India?

[hogwyld]

I'm curious as to how we can prevent the two largest nations from following down our failed energy policies. Obviously, as their fortunes improve, they want the same things that the western world has such as cars, big houses, lots of meat, and ostentatios consumption.

We all know that there is no way the planet could support that since it's already at the breaking point. Population control is a prime contributor, but these countries have no real interest in lowering their numbers.

Some would say that we need to deny them modern conveniences such as A/C, cars, and encourage them to live a simpler life. I don't subscribe to this thought as they have as much right as you or me to live a comfortable life.

Maybe it's already too late, and Gaia is getting ready to rid herself of this human virus. Interested in any thoughts you might have.

[napi21]

1. I don't think we can do much if anything about China or India. What we have to do

is fix ourselves! WE need to concentrate on aalternitive energy sources and let the China's & India's of the world pay top $$ for the remaining oil. There are really a lot of things being worked on now, and a number of them show a lot of promise. It's not our business to interfere with the way other countries function. If and when we do find some great solutions, we won't have to force others to follow!

[thunder rising]

2. I agree...let's fix us! (US)

[Goodnevil]

4. Plus we can sell that tech to India and China

for a pleasing profit

[stillcool]

3. We're going to "deny them"?

China and India are U.S. Corporations labor market. You can't mess with U.S. Business Interests. Besides doesn't China own us?

[jpak]

5. "Some would say"

Ye Olde FAUX Nooz Strawman

:puke:

[bhikkhu]

6. Giving China a little credit

They are the only nation on the planet (that I know of) that has in place a successful policy of population control.

As I see population as the one problem central to all the others, and as China generally just gets criticized for how their "one-child policy" by the rest of the world (who has no policy at all), I try to point out the disparity when I can.

[Goodnevil]

9. I agree with the "one-child" policy

As horrific as it is to the contemporary mind. As the population on this planet becomes more dense we're going to have to start fine-tuning our growth or millions will die.

Either that or fund the space program or subsidize private businesses to do some real exploration and propulsion research.

Let's find a way off this rock.

[tom_paine]

7. There is only one thing we could have done, and it's too late to do that.

And that would be to set a good example and lead the way using the "moral high-ground".

But since Bushler killed Free America on 12/12/2000, not only have we abandoned the moral high-ground, we are now on the absolute moral low-ground, the Sister Nation of Putin's Russia and Bushie China, Inverted Totalitarian nations all. (we Amerikan peasants are treated more nicely than our Chinese and Russian counterparts, at least for now, but strip away the window-dressing and we have no more rights than they)

In other words, if the world were a small neighborhood, we'd be the asshole with the disgusting lawn with huge dead patches and oil pathches all over our lawn, as we stood on the sidewalk and screamed threats to our neighbors about how their lawns, many in much better shape than ours, look shitty and they are destroying the neighborhood.

The only response to such an asshole or nation of assholes? "Fuck you. I'm going to do what I want."

[Goodnevil]

10. I don't think it's too late

[tom_paine]

11. I hope you are right, but strongly suspect that you are wrong.

To paraphrase the old saying, "You can shut the barn door if you like, but that horse has bolted."

[End Of The Road]

8. I've asked myself the same thing about China

but I've not come up with any answers except that yes, maybe it's too late.

Among the things that allowed the U.S. to become a "great" country are the facts that we started out with few people and abundant natural resources. Pollution, as we currently think of it, didn't become an issue until after we had reached first-world economy and power. China is attempting to achieve first-world economy with some opposite conditions -- a brazillion people and tons of pollution -- all in a time of peak oil and changing climate conditions. They may have to find their own way on this one. Who knows, perhaps their situation will lead them to some solutions we can use here. But I doubt it.