Gail and all,

Allow me to reiterate a thought I've advocated at this site and other related sites. All of these phenomena are related at a deep level. We are observing a complex system under a driving influence, namely the flow of energy through the global economy. That the major source for this energy is now fossil fuel (with consequent CO2 emissions) and that we have reached an effective peak in energy production (without adequate replacement for the FF sources) is fundamental to the financial crisis in multiple ways.

We need to take a systems approach to both understanding the multifaceted and complex Earth system and to finding solutions if any exist. I say if, because it is not clear to me that a feasible solution exists if the problem you are trying to solve is to save our civilization as it is. I can't see any path to sustainability in our current course. A deep systems study of our situation might, however, show us the directions to feasible solutions to the right problem formulation.

It may be time for many issue-based organizations to consider collaboration on an integrated systems approach to defining the interrelationships and dynamics that we are witnessing. It is a big task, of course, but so would be any approach to "solving" these problems independently. I nominate someone like Fritjof Capra to head an inter-agency effort to map out the interconnections. We need another World Dynamics model such as developed originally by Jay Forrester and taken up by Dennis Meadows.

Question Everything

George

PS. Not hopeful that any help will come from the elected "leaders", even if they grasped any of this.