World Political Economy

See Video.  Rob Hopkins reminds us that the oil our world depends on is steadily running out. He proposes a unique solution to this problem — the Transition response, where small communities can  prepare themselves for life without oil and sacrifice  luxuries to build systems and communities that are completely independent of fossil fuels.

This morning, (16th Nov 2008) New York Times carried a feature, by Louis Uchitelle. It says…

“ The failure of one or more of Detroit’s Big Three automakers would put a huge initial dent in American manufacturing, but in time foreign car companies would pick up the slack by stepping up production in their plants here, many industry experts and economists say.”

It this another signal for major change in the US System? 

The Auto Industry has indeed a history of greatness and has been a lynch pin in the history of US Industrial Development.  It is an American heritage.  However it is one that one longer propel the nation as a global force. And it is, undeniably and inevitably a global world.

In my last post, I mentioned that Americans, having won the cause of democracy and free enterprise, must now share in the evolution of a new global democracy and free enterprise system . 

 The American car industry may have to go the same way. 

Even if Detroit goes, American industries will continue to contribute to the world motor industry, not in the fabrication process, but in the cutting edge of creating technologies and solutions for a more efficient personal mobility.

7/7/07. As I write this Blog in Singapore , Live Earth Shows will have been staged in Sydney, Shanghai, Tokyo, Hamburg, Johannesburg and moving across the world to Rio de Janeiro, London and New York. A decade ago such an event done on a global scale may not be possible or economically feasible.

To me the event demonstrates the power of globalization much more than it does the awareness of climate change. I certainly congratulate the organizers and many supporters for their efforts…the world certainly needs the education. However looking at some of the high energy events many of which lavish in the use of energy, one wonder if the whole effort has not gone a tad commercial…with more emphasis TV and advertising sponsorships, tickets sales than climate change itself.

It was quite ironical to see one of the bands wearing a T-shirt, “Say No to Nuclear Energy”. If we are going to use energy the way the events are held and publicized then, what choice do we have? I note that some of the events were held in (more…)

Social learning is increasingly cited as an essential process for addressing the complexity and uncertainty inherent in many sustainability issues, and for developing understanding between the different perspectives involved.

Learning for sustainability.net aims to provide a practical resource for proponents of multi-stakeholder learning processes. It recognises that

• Social learning is an ongoing process, rather than an outcome to be achieved.
• The process occurs as a result of many well-managed relationships and the provision of a range of interactive opportunities between different stakeholder groups.

The guide to on-line resources includes a wide range of topics relevant to social learning and is a recommended reosurce for all who are involved in community and social development projects. 

I never thought I would feature a book written in 1994, but I found Jennifer A Elliott’s, “An Introduction to Sustainable Development”, published by Routledge, timeless, especially the many quotations and excerpts she selected from other authors. In some ways this timelessness reflects that the crucial issues identified as important to the world’s sustainable development has remained somewhat (more…)

This article from Robert Anderson, published in Scoop, New Zealand Independent Media, offers fruit for thought about globalization and progress… we quote
“We are now close to crisis point. This is not a melodramatic statement intended to frighten or shock readers. It is merely an inescapable fact. The Global Climate Change crisis is a most urgent concern - or should be - for all political parties. The Nat’s pay it lip service, but fully intend business as usual, while Helen Clark needs to act more decisively, but won’t or can’t”

My views are that Globalization cannot be fully blamed for the worsening environment. It has helped by making these a global concern. Imagine large population countries and land masses like Indonesia and China burning away without any one knowing about it!

See Scoop for full article