Ralph sent me this little essay. I pass it on to you.
mj
While I, like many, like to think about theories, models, hidden trends, prophecies and predictions,
there’s nothing like some new facts, not previously known or considered, to expand one’s mental horizons.
Here, for your edification, are some new observations in two areas: (1) climate change; (2) the role of China in the world.
(1) Global Heating (we should really stop calling it “warmingâ€, since that word has nice and fuzzy associations; maybe “biosphere fever†would be even better.
Three scientific groups, two in the US, one in the UK, have issued reports stating that 2005 is either the hottest year in recorded history, or the second warmest (after 1998).
All three groups agreed that 2005 was the hottest year recorded for the Northern Hemisphere (1.3 degrees F above average). “Scientists said their differences should not detract from their common conclusion that the word is experiencing serious climate change, driven in part by human activity.†Researchers found, by drilling ice cores, that there is a higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere now, than at any time in the past 650,000 years. (reported in the Washington Post, Dec 05)
(2) Role of China in the world (from a forthcoming book China, Inc. by Ted Fishman; also reported in my hometown newspaper)
* China has 320 million people under the age of 14 â€" more than the entire population of the United States
* China has 100-160 cities with populations of 1 million or more â€" the US has nine.
* China has more than 300 biotech firms that operate unhindered by ethical, religious or animal rights standards.
* On average, US companies make a 42 percent return on their China operations.
* More people use the Internet in China than the US.
* China has more speakers of English as a second language than the US has native English speakers.
* Every month, China must build enough urban infrastructure to accommodate a city the size of Houston, TX, in order to absorb the 300 million rural Chinese who will move to cities in the next 15 years (okay, that’s projection, not a fact, strictly speaking).
Merry Christmas
Ralph Metzner
Ralph Metzner, Ph.D.
Green Earth Foundation
http://www.greenearthfound.org (http://www.greenearthfound.org).
For information on upcoming events, concerts and workshops:
http://www.greenearthfound.org/upcoming_events.htm (http://www.greenearthfound.org/upcoming_events.htm)
For information on and to order my newly released CD of original songs Bardo Blues:
http://greenearthfound.org/bardo_blues.html (http://greenearthfound.org/bardo_blues.html)
For the Metzner Alchemical Divination practices training program:
http://www.greenearthfound.org/MAD_training.htm (http://www.greenearthfound.org/MAD_training.htm)
Motto of the Green Earth Foundation:
Harmonizing Humanity with Earth and Spirit.
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