Plan B 4.0 - A discussion on Chapter 1

Source

Quote 1: "Business as usual is no longer a viable option. Food security will deteriorate further unless leading countries collectively mobilize to stabilize population, stabilize climate, stabilize aquifers, conserve soils, protect cropland, and restrict the use of grain to produce fuel for cars."

I did not know this was such an important issue until I read Chapter 1 of this book. I agree with the author and we should start taking action towards fixing our Earth. We must reach a happy medium with all things and not overuse anything for our own greed. Just like Solomon MacIvey in A Land Remembered, we will all regret taking our Earth for granted. Efforts to fix the damage our greed has caused must be made promptly so that future generations can benefit from this beautiful planet.

Quote 2:"...and the Democratic Republic of the Congo where expanding cropland typically means clearing tropical rainforests that sequester large quantities of carbon. This could measurably raise global carbon emissions, increasing the climate threat to world food security."

I do not agree with this statement at all. The rainforests should be the last habitat to take down. The rainforest is vital for our survival. All of the life forms in tropical rainforests help regulate our climate and if they're destroyed, it could mean drastic changes in climate. Changes in climate could affect sea levels and inundate entire states. Alongside that fact, there are thousands of species living in the rainforest who depend on the unique climate to survive. If we take out rainforests we are destroying yet another habitat and then reducing the diversity of species which has problems of its own. It's scary how much greed has made us lose sight of what's important in life.

Quote 3:"But this is not an option with China, which now holds well over $1 trillion in U.S. debt. It is often the leading international buyer at the monthly auctions of U.S. Treasury securities that finance the growing U.S. fiscal deficit. In effect, China has become banker to the United States."

I just don't understand how the U.S. could owe that much money to China. This mindset of borrowing and paying back later is destroying consumers in the U.S. Many finance books state that one should cut their credit cards in half and throw them away. Borrowing money with the intention to pay back later or monthly with small payments combined with interest is not a good idea for most people. Most people will buy an 80 inch TV and pay it off monthly with interest even though they can't afford it. Those people never live a life of financial freedom. Why would the U.S. be so ignorant to the repercussions of their actions?