woah...you totally threw a wrench into my spokes. I'm seriously thinking about changing my functional track of my international relations degree from international economics/business or foreign policy and security studies to Environment and Development. But...what can I do with that anyway? Is there a job for me with that?
Yeah...China rides tons of bikes because they're poor. Plus, their cities are more compact, and not really designed for cars. BUT, the car is becoming ever more present in China, unfortunately. The government has reduced the taxes, expanded the road infrastructure (modeling it after the US's interstate system), and the Chinese have become richer. Moreover, the Western culture of having a car as a status symbol is rubbing off on the Chinese. All these factors equal a HUGE surge in automobile purchases. This poses huge problems...I mean, imagine a car culture like we have in America but on a Chinese scale?!? It'll be a huge environmental disaster if China continues to rise as they are, particularly with the increase of car demands.
Shanghai has even banned bikes in the center of the city. Maybe Beijing is next. I don't want to see the bike becoming less used in China, with it instead being replaced by the car, following the US's footsteps. The environment, much less the oil markets, can't take such a huge strain.
But, because China is an emerging market at such a point of raised environmental awareness, alternative energy and resource efficient vehicles has become a huge focal point. Maybe China will save the world the environmental burden by harnessing such momentum. They've already released some amazing personal, more environmentally friendly cars (featured a back issue of the Economist). Or maybe, it'll revert to the traditional automobiles. Who knows.
I just wish, very soon, that people would start to not only care, but MAKE A CHANGE to their habits. The impact of the global environment is a sum of the actions of the Earth's inhabitants. If only people would be conscientious of our personal impact on the environment as having a direct effect on others across the globe, I think the world could be a better place.
I'm hoping the G8 Conference, especially in light of signs of an emerging energy crisis and visible climate change, can be the starting point of such change. George Bush, you are representing a key player in this effort on combating a deteriorating environment. Please, do the world a favor and create some positive results and resolutions that will be acted upon!
PS. I really hope things are going to work out with the London Study Abroad Program.
Dude! You totally proved my point! You know so much about evironmental issues. I got an idea. How about u minor in political science (public policy track) they cover a lot of evironmental issues along with other issues (or maybe I want you to take some classes with me cus im majoring in that) But yeah I actually dont think they are gonna make and head way @ G8 with the environmental policy. Did you hear Bushes stance! He wants a to worry more about technology then emissions! What is Bush smoking????? Don't worry though. Im gonna be president eventually, so you will have an AWESOME job as head of the environmental protection agency.
Yeah...China rides tons of bikes because they're poor. Plus, their cities are more compact, and not really designed for cars. BUT, the car is becoming ever more present in China, unfortunately. The government has reduced the taxes, expanded the road infrastructure (modeling it after the US's interstate system), and the Chinese have become richer. Moreover, the Western culture of having a car as a status symbol is rubbing off on the Chinese. All these factors equal a HUGE surge in automobile purchases. This poses huge problems...I mean, imagine a car culture like we have in America but on a Chinese scale?!? It'll be a huge environmental disaster if China continues to rise as they are, particularly with the increase of car demands.
Shanghai has even banned bikes in the center of the city. Maybe Beijing is next. I don't want to see the bike becoming less used in China, with it instead being replaced by the car, following the US's footsteps. The environment, much less the oil markets, can't take such a huge strain.
But, because China is an emerging market at such a point of raised environmental awareness, alternative energy and resource efficient vehicles has become a huge focal point. Maybe China will save the world the environmental burden by harnessing such momentum. They've already released some amazing personal, more environmentally friendly cars (featured a back issue of the Economist). Or maybe, it'll revert to the traditional automobiles. Who knows.
I just wish, very soon, that people would start to not only care, but MAKE A CHANGE to their habits. The impact of the global environment is a sum of the actions of the Earth's inhabitants. If only people would be conscientious of our personal impact on the environment as having a direct effect on others across the globe, I think the world could be a better place.
I'm hoping the G8 Conference, especially in light of signs of an emerging energy crisis and visible climate change, can be the starting point of such change. George Bush, you are representing a key player in this effort on combating a deteriorating environment. Please, do the world a favor and create some positive results and resolutions that will be acted upon!
PS. I really hope things are going to work out with the London Study Abroad Program.
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Don't worry though. Im gonna be president eventually, so you will have an AWESOME job as head of the environmental protection agency.
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