The new world story

There have been a number of articles/books lately, on the “New American story”.  The latest was the book by senator Bill Bradley, on his perceptions of oil dependence as a major factor in geopolitical instability.  My impression is that, in today’s context, it is not possible to discuss the American story, in isolation, without making it a part of the world story.  I shall start with the most popular global story that is doing the rounds, the story about the global warming.

The causes that lead to global warming does not recognize the geographical boundaries of nations  and so it seems logical for all Americans to show concern.  The greenhouse gases, which may be emitted at some places on the globe, can travel to other places in due course of time and induce the effects of greenhouse warming.  Any plan to control these emissions has to be done in a concerted way.  There are two major ways by which this can be done.  One is, by applying pressure on the world bodies to strangulate the industrial growth in the developing nations, which are perceived as the major sources of the greenhouse gases.  The second option is for the developed nations to use their superior technological skills to develop effective effluent management systems (EMS) for reducing the content of greenhouse gases.  These systems can be sold to the developing countries at affordable prices, so that they can also help in reducing the harmful gases.  I am in favour of the second option.

At this stage some patriotic Americans may ask, “Why should we develop technologies for the other countries?”  The answer is simple.  If your neighbor dumps all his wastes in his backyard and the concerned authorities take no action, causing it to become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, then it is in your own interest to get his backyard cleaned, if you do not want to be bitten by mosquitoes!  This is, of course, the saner option, other than shooting him!  Another important area is the development of efficient rapid mass transport system (RMTS) for the big cities, which are growing at a phenomenal rate.  RMTS can use alternative fuel, which does not emit greenhouse gases.  Their operation will cut down the number of individual cars and help reduce road accidents, along with the greenhouse gases.     

The next important link is the availability of pure drinking water, in years to come.  The ‘efficiency’ with which the rivers are getting contaminated by industrial wastes, the time is not far when the life-sustaining water from the rivers would become unfit for drinking and marine life would cease to exist.  Work on recycling the industrial wastes, must be taken up on top priority.  Recycling processes have the possibility of generating alternate fuels and water as by-products.  Scientists studying global warming, also predict more rainfall due to the warming of the ocean waters and more evaporation.  Research on the development of suitable rain-water harvesting technology (RHT) should be taken up in a big way, particularly in areas of deficient rainfall.  This will help in sustaining the minimum requirements during periods of drought and reduce the effect of floods.

A major cause of hostility between different countries is the steep gradient of wealth and education.  Many countries are termed ‘backward’, because of the lack of resources to maintain a minimum system of health and education for their citizens.  They are always dependent on other countries and are also exploited by them.  They become victims of religious bigotism  and join terrorist organizations, for the lure of money.  In my world story, it is these people who have to be taken special care.  Left unattended, unwatched, they have the propensity to cause enough destruction to force the world to take notice.  They are like a delinquent child who is let loose in the market place with an ignited detonator.  The appropriate solution lies not in killing him, or capturing him.  Another child will take his place and the detonator will burst, in any case!  Effort has to be made to ensure that  another child does not commit the same mistake. It is here that the developed/other nations can play a big role in making it possible for the people from these countries to get proper education and acquire technical skills for earning a decent income.  They should be made to realize the fatality of religious fanaticism.