John C Carr , What "New" norms are you proposing to the world population? Are you suggesting that mulitcultural populations who value diversity, liberty and freedom of choice will unify behind a single set of "new norms"? Seven billion living beings will eat, drink and produce waste products today. We are producing waste at rates that can only be processed in sewerage treatment facillities using oil and electricity for power. Were it not for the expenditure of this energy none of the worlds great cities would exist. This is a worthy discussion and it is good to consider new possibilities. I think we are a bit naiev to think that human society will give up its tribal nature in favor of a single unified world view It may be that your "New Norms" will offer a positive direction..

It will never be a way you are thinking till typical politicians are there, and they are the majority

sharing through mutual cooperation and policy framing of transference of popultion from a rgion of high density to a region with very low density

All these problems have arisen due to lack of Comprehensive Primary, Secondary & Higher Secondary education. By Comprehensive education is meant theory/practicals as well as Moral Science, Crafts, Games & Cultural Activities. All of these can facilitate to build strong foundations for a growing child.

At the same time there has to be a strong road map for development of all Local natural resources facilitated by learned individuals, civil society & local govt. This will at least ensure some means of livlihood to every able bodied - so that they do not get lured to take to unlawful activities.

If these 2 problems are thoroughly addressed, then most of the problems can be solved.

Increasing awareness eradicating egology instead of ecology

The root problem is population density. The carrying capacity of the planet has been exceeded by us. What would our carbon footprint look like with one billion Humans? What would our Air Traffic look like. Would there be traffic jams in New York city, New Dehli or Shanghai?

None of the responses thus far have engaged with the hypothesis that: The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation.

Seems to me that the hypothesis is supported by the experience of indigenous peoples and of the Scandinavian countries. So what can we learn from those sources that will effect the necessary transformation.

How would your cultural and spiritual revolution address the physical realities of the waste products of 7 billion people consuming food, heating homes, running farm equipment and fouling waterways?

John C Carr

Bob Neuweiler - We seem to be living in a culture that mostly takes those excesses for granted - as a human right with inevitable negative consequences. What if scientists were to become counter-culture and work at creating new norms - norms that do not assume that humans produce waste that must be disposed of but rather that there are by-products of ordinary human living that humans can learn to use productively?

Having less kids, will address the most important global environmental problems such as climate change, biodiversity, pollution... etc

John C Carr , What "New" norms are you proposing to the world population? Are you suggesting that mulitcultural populations who value diversity, liberty and freedom of choice will unify behind a single set of "new norms"? Seven billion living beings will eat, drink and produce waste products today. We are producing waste at rates that can only be processed in sewerage treatment facillities using oil and electricity for power. Were it not for the expenditure of this energy none of the worlds great cities would exist. This is a worthy discussion and it is good to consider new possibilities. I think we are a bit naiev to think that human society will give up its tribal nature in favor of a single unified world view It may be that your "New Norms" will offer a positive direction..

Scientists can monitor the data, create and modify tools for decision makers. But the solution is in the hands of society, via education, rules and regulations concerning pollution, recycling and reusing. There are no magical solutions...

28 centuries ago there lived the prophet Isaiah in Israel. Of him J. B. Phillips wrote in Four Prophets:

The basic theme of Isaiah’s teaching is that it is God and not man, who determines history, whatever appearances may suggest. Therefore true peace and true prosperity can only be achieved by quietly carrying out the will of the Lord. Clever political moves and alliances may appear advantageous, but they are useless and indeed evil if they lead the nation away from its trust in God. Isaiah sees the nation as estranged from the Lord, not only by its lack of faith in him, but by its pre-occupation with material prosperity and its utter indifference to the gravest social evils…If the nation turns wholeheartedly to the Lord, security in the best, spiritual, sense is assured, even if their are considerable material losses. But if the nations persists in putting confidence in foreign alliances and continues to be greedy and corrupt, then the most terrible disasters are bound to follow.

The way I see it, scientists have developed all kinds of innovations for human use without paying any attention to the ethical implications of their research and their findings.That is beginning to change - but a lot of work still needs to be done.

Moreover, there are answers to all of the problems that various people have referred to in this discussion group. So, instead of complaining, those who see the problem need to do whatever is required to turn a crisis into an opportunity.

Guided and encouraged; and, yes, forgiven when we err; which is not being excused of any responsibility. We hold the line under guidance.

Population is the root of poverty and pollution. It can be solved by interlinking over populated and under populated nations

Artur Burzynski - FYI, I am a Canadian raised in "oil refinery" city in SW Ontario and for nearly 45 years of my adult life living in our primary oil-producing province.

And yes - convincing some people that we are causing damage by our use of oil and other atmosphere contaminants is extremely difficult!

To me, we should give more endeavor on the philosophy of science subjects which have been originated from a basic science of Environmental sciences (EVS). Only EVS could highlight how the abiotic and biotic components on this earth are related in an ecosystem and results cycling of all essential elements called bio-geo-chemical cycling. This happens not only to preserve the elements and provides for others but also creates an idea about the interrelationships between and among all present in earth. If it is thought that the elements in me after my death will be distributed indiscriminately, some of these may be again used by any organisms and others in different biotic or abiotic parts and remember that in this way I will be remaining in so many ways with so many manners in this earth. All my forefathers are also present in every section of this earth following this way. This logic of bio-geo-chemical cycling in nature obviously reminds us the positive relations to all components of this earth, may be, including all human beings. as because, I am in all and all are in me. If you want to create any pollution problem on this earth, then please think who are going to suffer for your unlawful activities. Probably, all these natural events are the root of development of spiritualism in humans and in our society.These thinking may play a tremendous role in reducing greed, selfishness and apathy in us.All spiritual transformations are already present in natural sciences which we should have bring out open to all through cultures and only then it seems to me, it is possible to reduce environmental problems.

I have always considered that the root of every problem is education, that is what we know as ethics and morals, and once we are educated in school is when we become citizens of a nation. However, education is the root of a tree that branches into endless problems, we would have to pay worldwide attention to education and focus on those priority factors ... I believe that sustainability is a top priority. Being realistic, I am being very idealistic and thinking of a "pink world" but something like what I said is very difficult given the socio-political conflicts that exist in the world. What we have left as individuals of THE PLANET (not of a nation) is to raise awareness among our colleagues and close people to build an information network without filters and frankly. I am 25 years old, and I hope to die from natural causes and not as a result of some extreme environmental pressure. I apologize for my English, I know it's not perfect, thanks!

Carlos Daniel Sastré Velásquez - thank you for your thoughts.

I think that the root of humans problems is much more complex that education - although education is certainly one of the problems and attention to education can often be a way to overcome problems. That is, I don't think that one can argue back from a solution to establish a cause definitively.

Paolo Freire's "base communities" have also been a significant answer to some of the world's problems.

Human being are, essentially, "spiritual beings" whose "hearts are restless until they find rest .." in the Ground of their being" (Paul Tillich). So an authentic spirituality can transform problems into opportunities.

etc.

John C Carr

Limited knowledge about the events that brings distress to humanity and to its conspecifics can result in ignorance. This ignorance can then turn into selfishness, greed and apathy. Have you observed that in times of adversity, people including those who weren't able to get a higher degree of education or even those who does not have much to offer extends their help or concerns to the affected population? These people reached out because they either grasped the reason why these individuals were suffering or they know how it exactly feels to be in the same situation. This is why I would like to give emphasis on the creation of effective awareness/educational programs for the people, especially for the youth. Scientists may not know how to integrate positive cultural and spiritual transformations but they can explain the events that could trigger their realization. I hope scientists will give extra efforts to explain these events in a way where bigger crowds will understand and feel their message.

Thanks a lot to Dr J.G. Hisu-an for the very attractive and nice explanations.