I think a lot of the difficulties the US is experiencing at the moment with international relationships is it's attitude towards global warming. The planet belongs to us all and nobody likes dirty neighbours spoiling the environment; the US is very much seen as the dirty man of the World. The UK is the dirty man of Europe too so don't feel I'm picking on the US alone.

On a personal level I do not own a car (and never will) and either walk or cycle to work. I realise this isn't possible for all people, especially those living in more remote area's, but I do not think car share schemes are utilised enough. The excuse I always hear from people is "It's my right to drive" but, what about my right to live without your fumes choking the planet. Most people I hear tutting at me smoking tobacoo are ardent drivers, which of course allows me free reign to demolish their arguements.

The planet has little or no time left in it's present format and ,while it is true that the World does change it's overall form periodically, we are making too big an impact at the moment. Normally adaptations will evolve to suit. The times of great and sudden change are also times of mass extinctions. We are currently going through a huge extinction of species.

Brian

BTW. What is the point in having economic growth Daniel if nothing can grow?