Headline from Times: Dubai feels the heat of climate change
Concern for the environment could mean Dubai becoming an impossibly luxurious destination for all but the wealthiest of tourists

This effectively says wealth = non responsibility for the environment. Read the article here Timesonline.

Affluenza
Noun: affluenza
Definition: An extreme formof materialism resulting from the excessive desirefor material goods

Over Christmas I read the 0liver James book of the same name. Sadly I can recognise the symptoms, not just mildly in all of us, but extreme cases where people who once seemed quite ordinary and balanced now seem only interested to speak of their house price, shares, holidays and how wealthy their friends are; despite having not seen them for some time. All other news on a personal front to them had become ‘worthless’.

I experienced a not dissimilar situation in the late 80s, early 90s when people threw themselves lock stock and barrel at careers in corporations in the belief that these places where the new ‘holy lands’ – only to see them close together with their careers 18 months later.

It is not about commitment, which is an essential. It is about balance, about taking all of you forward – not throwing your values on the wayside to reduce the weight. Do that and when the cash dries up you having nothing left.

6 months ago it occurred to me that there was a big silver lining to the current turmoil. When oil hit $160 and food prices shot through the roof despite all the negative economic data it was clear that unsustainability was reached and a real opportunity for us to reinvent through imperative had come.

For many the sole pursuit of materialism is no longer valid as the vehicle has gone. Hopefully this will allow these lost soles to cultivate a desire and space for new self to grow. Read the article.