On 2/12/2009 5:04 PM, 0tterbot wrote:
"FarmI"ask@itshall be given wrote in message
. au...

it is a bit skimpy on the emphasis the show gave to the (quite astonishing
given that it's a totalitarian state) moves that china is making on
environmental issues:
http://transitiontownsireland.ning.c...icted-to-money

just wanted to say that i would guess totalitarian states always have an
easier time creating change - because they're totalitarian :-) so perhaps
it is not astonishing at all. the chinese govt wouldn't give a wazoo if
everyone was screeching "but it will cost me an extra dollar a week!!! i'm
going to ring up alan jones!!!!"

tee hee. having said that, i saw nicholas stern on lateline last night. he
said environmental issues are the Really Big Worry for people in china
(unlike australians, who'd probably choose something mindless, like house
prices).
Yeah we should all be renting...
Owning a home in australia is a gamble, unless you have stable
government employement or are in a trade. Banks really know how to rip
the heart out of workers, and mindless? Only because its made so
heartless by these rip off merchants.
i speculate that this is because china's environmental problems are
not only pressing, but they're also incredibly _visible_,& that makes a
huge difference to what people care about. everyone in china can literally
see with their own eyes things that are going wrong. therefore, they care
more& are more prepared to do something about it.
Especially if they can screw competing countries economies.
This appears to be why America wont do anything at the moment until all
options are checked. China is wagging the dog.
Their senate enquiry re this is ongoing.
kylie