On 3/12/2009 3:52 PM, FarmI wrote:
wrote in message
"FarmI"ask@itshall be given wrote in message
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!!!!"

LOL. Quite right of course. I wasn't very clear. What I really meant by
my comment was that a totalitarian state wouldn't do anything if it wasn't
convinced of a pressing need to do so. China must be convinced that there
is a huge need to do so given the amount of money they've invested over a
very short period of time. China doesn't give a rat's arse about the health
or well being of their citizens unlike supposedly 'caring' western states so
thye must be concerned about something other than their people.

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). 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.

Yes I saw him too and he said that Aus is at more risk from climate change
than other places. I'd agree with that just based on observation.


Yes, as I thought. No sense of humor or sense.