Lester Brown, president and
founder of the Earth Policy Institute, discusses how consumer
consumption affects the global economy and the potentially catastrophic
environmental trends that could result from unlimited consumption. In
light of the recent economic boom in China, Mr. Brown claims that
“business as usual” can no longer be a viable course of action in
sustaining the world’s energy resources. He calls for a shift to a
renewable energy-based, reuse/recycle economy, with a diversified
transportation system. Is China teaching us that the western economic
model will not work for the world? Could U.S. efforts to reduce its oil
insecurity with crop-based fuels lead to global food insecurity? Why
is the list of failed and failing states growing?
