Author: Stephen Paley

In Part 1 (FI, February/March 2008), we argued for the rapid deployment of what we called “first-round survival technologies.” These technologies are designed to satisfy certain of mankind’s fundamental needs while buying additional time to hold global warming within tolerable limits—long enough, it is hoped, to make other substantive changes that are required for humankind’s …

Four significant and interconnected physical problems are likely to reach critical stages over the next two decades. They are: Global warming and environmental degradation Depletion of key resources including oil, gas and potable water Pollution caused by use of fossil fuels with current technologies A world population that has grown beyond Earth’s carrying capacity (which …