NationStates Jolt Archive

To our fellow friends and comrades, the People of the Nationstates World:

We of Freebodnik V believe that there is a dire and immediate threat to the well-being of billions of living things around the world. We believe that, should it come to pass, this threat will end countless beautiful lives and liberties everywhere. We believe that human beings, the ones who expel millions of metric tonnes of pollutants and greenhouse gases into the air every year, the ones who release the locked up carbons from oil to feed their rapacious addiction to transportation and speed, are the things that are responsible for this ecological threat. And we believe that this threat is coming not in a hundred years, nor a thousand, but in our lifetimes.

As a neutral and peace-loving nation, we offer ourselves to be host to a 31-day international conference on the threats posed to the environment by the actions of nations everywhere, and what can be done to stem the tide of ecocidal destruction.

The conference shall conclude with the creation of a set of international accords (henceforth known as the Butterfly Accords), to help regulate, minimise, or completely heal the damage done to the environment, the contents of whom are to be decided at the Conference.

In hopes of a fine and fair conference, and a better tomorrow for all,

http://www.fantahorror.com/portal/hal9000.jpg
The Governing Artificially Intelligent Mind Network,
First Speaker and MCP for the Community of Freebodnik V
"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."- Albert Einstein
Please enter, Comrade, The Revolution Betrayed by Leon Trotsky (http://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/works/1936-rev/index.htm)

As always, we welcome the initiative for an environmental conference and would be honoured to attend.

Silas Simparaieff
People's representative for the environment

While we spend little on the Environment, due to IF being the most past, a wasteland, the Grand Empire will like to attend. We do pride ourselfs in pollutant-free energy resouces such as geo-thermal power.

The Brotherhood could not care less about the environment, as long as Tiberium still manages to spread.

The Brotherhood could not care less about the environment, as long as Tiberium still manages to spread.

And if all the pollution makes your troops too sick to battle?

The Brotherhood could not care less about the environment, as long as Tiberium still manages to spread.

And if all the pollution makes your troops too sick to battle?

Then I genetically alter them so they breath CO2 instead :wink:

The Commonwealth is interested in attending such a conference as the health of the environment is integral to the health of a nation - look at the drastic consequences of even the ancient Sumerian and Babylonian empires when they simply overused irrigation. And with many more ways of making our ways of life easier it is much easier to ruin our natural habitat.

That said, the Commonwealth will not agree to any accords, however, that severely limit the industrial and commercial power of the Commonwealth. We rather seek to find a state of harmonium between the two extremes.

Alexander Remarah
Minister of Foreign Affairs

*bump*

As one of the worlds chief importers and consumers of coal, Slutbum Wallah cares little for this "enviroment". Around 80% of Slutbum Wallah is dry wasteland in any case. We grow genetically modified crops in small, heavily irrigated areas, we burn coal and make use of nuclear energy for power, we dump waste in the desert. About the only green in Slutbum Wallah glows in the dark.

As a recently declared Nuclear-Free Nation, and now trying to get 70-75% of our energy from renewable sources, we at The Weegies would be proud to send our most vociferous Council Member on the subject of the environment, Mary Burns, to discuss the state of the environment.

Alvarezistan is interested in sending a delegate to this conference. Out automobile manufacturing industry has been at the forefront of developing fuel-efficient and alternative energy vehicles, and most of our industrial base uses strong pollution controls. Our power grid is also living proof that alternative energy generation methods such as wind, solar, geothermal and nuclear fusion sources are viable for mass use.

Unfortunatly, we are also well aware of the disatrous effects of neglecting the environment. Most of these measures have been put into place within the last 20 years, but he damage done before then we are afraid is irreperable.. If only we'd given our post-revolutionary industrial developement more thought 70 years ago.

With permission, and appropriate travel arrangements from a nation capable of reaching the FBV colonies, the MUA would like to send a delegation to discuss this most crucial issue.

MUA Frontdesk

Dr. Fishon Ros, His Majesty's Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs will attend the International Conference on the Environment. He will be accompanied by 20 staff, aides, and service staff. They will arrive at your international airport, or the one that is open for this.

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The Governing Artificially Intelligent Mind Network,
First Speaker and MCP for the Community of Freebodnik V

Ack! What happened to Eulalia? (Either of them)

God bless,

The Republic of Syskeyia

We in Gurthark applaud the Community of Freebodnik V for organizing this conference. I'm afraid pressing matters of state will keep me busy over the next week, but I will attend as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Dr. Frogbottom Washington
Minister of Science and Nature
Community of Gurthark

ecological bump

The Bevelle Empire will send a representative from the Science and Machina Management Board to this meeting about the enviroment due to the diverse enviroment of the continent of Spira.


http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:DXdXTX5RcU0C:www.portalmix.com/videojuegos/img_fichas/final_fantasy_x/screenshot_03.jpg%20
Doctor Rikku Kamiamai, Head of Science and Machina Management
The Theocracy of The Bevelle Empire

OOC: Syskeyia - Eulalia is not a First Speaker yet. I turned back the clock, wayyy back!

In addition to the creation and ratification of an international treaty on the regulation of environmental damage and the creation of new, immediate environmental laws, we propose the creation of a multilateral, international coalition empowered to enforce these new laws.


http://www.fantahorror.com/portal/hal9000.jpg
The Governing Artificially Intelligent Mind Network,
First Speaker and MCP for the Community of Freebodnik V
"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."- Albert Einstein
Please enter, Comrade, The Revolution Betrayed by Leon Trotsky (http://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/works/1936-rev/index.htm)

*BUMP*

I will gladly attend on behalf of the Oglethorpian government.

Larry Hudson
Agriculture/Industry Bureau
The Allied States of Oglethorpia

OOC: Not to be impatient (which I'm not), but when's this thing gonna start? I feel like gettin' my conference on.. even if I am involved in two seperate wars and a plotline I'm not sure where to go with, it would be a nice change of pace from the running around and blowing things up I've been doing lately =P

The United States of Credonia is interested in the conference and will send delegates to attend

Delegates from the US of Credonia would like to know when the international convention will start

The conference has begun.

From: Larkinian Foreign Affairs Office.

We'd like to send Dr. Richard Davison, Larkinian Environmental Minister to attend this conference, if you are still taking RSVP's

Of course, you may by all means attend.

**

The conference hall is a large, circular building in the middle of a forest overlooking a small, pleasant lake in the middle of the North Pacific island nation of Freebodnik V. It's made of steel and glass, and alabaster stone, an aesthetic marvel, like many of Freebodnik V's buildings, both demure and elegant at once, and environmentally friendly to boot. Inside the chambre, seats are placed in the arrangement that one would see in a Roman coliseum. At the centre is a speaking platform where the mediators stand.

OOC: Shall I RP Hudson's arrival in Freebodnik V?

And also ooc; anything we need to know about Freebodnik V before starting?

Assuming there isn't, people's representative for the environment Silas Simparieff arrives by blimp and takes his seat in the conference hall, looking forward to meeting the delegates of other nations.

Minister Davison sat in the Cessna as it approached Freebodnik V.

"Sir, we're approaching Freebodnik V now."

Davison turned off his laptop and put it and his MP3 player in the briefcase as the plane banked on it's approach.

The plane touched down and taxied to the gate. Davison picked up his briefcase and his suitcase and walked onto the tarmac. He walked through the airport and (presumably) called a taxi to take him to the conference hall.

OOC: Freebodnik V is an island in the North Pacific, covered in lush deciduous forests, grassy prairies and lakes. Its populace is evenly spread over the whole of the island, dwelling in small agricultural communities. It has few airfields, but those that are there are well-serviced and efficient - like many other things Freebodnik.

OOC: Freebodnik V is an island in the North Pacific, covered in lush deciduous forests, grassy prairies and lakes. Its populace is evenly spread over the whole of the island, dwelling in small agricultural communities. It has few airfields, but those that are there are well-serviced and efficient - like many other things Freebodnik.

ooc: not in space? sweet, we can definately come.

ic:

The Ministry of Urban Affairs has dispatched Under Minister William Wright to attend the conference and discuss the issues surrounding sustainable and ecologically friendly development and expansion of economies to support the irrationally expanding population of the world.

MUA Frontdesk

OOC: No. Freebodniks never went into space. It never happened. Forget the old storyline - all of it. It never happened - you never heard anything, I was never here.

Go ahead and RP coming...

*bump*

OK. We're still arriving, yes?

The state blimp, the Kapal Terbah (flying ship) Jerry Cornelius, hoves into view above the island. On board is Silas Simparieff, Governor of Burung Paradis province and man who handles environmental issues for the Tanah Burung government. Simparieff wears traditional Burung Paradis clothes, which consist mostly of feathers and a penis gourd.

The blimp touches down. Silas looks around, admiring the lush forests. Temperate trees, a lot different from the tropical rain forest back home, he thinks. What a glorious planet we live on.

*bumples*

I and UN Ambassador Ivon Millente will arrive by plane to the conference. In Yshurak, we care much for the environment and hold many regulations to keep it preserved. We're glad that other nations hold much concern for such a precious thing.

Jan Horembolg
President of the Free Land of Yshurak

Excellent. We await the arrival of your delegate.


http://www.fantahorror.com/portal/hal9000.jpg
The Governing Artificially Intelligent Mind Network,
First Speaker and MCP for the Community of Freebodnik V
"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."- Albert Einstein
Please enter, Comrade, The Revolution Betrayed by Leon Trotsky (http://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/works/1936-rev/index.htm)

Gordon Newell had been driven to the airport -- here he boarded an Oglethorpian business jet, the flag on it's fuselage, the jet taking off in the direction of Freebodnik V.

---

OOC: Normally i'd do a longer departure-arrival post, but i'm not feeling paticularly creative right now.

Nations that are concerned about the health of the planet should not exercise threats of forming coalitions to enforce their wills on other developing nations. In particular, ones that have not yet had the chance to reach natural evolution.

Before such a time of talk for enforcement, we the Dominion of Parasitic Twins suggest that these "enlightened" nations share resources to developing nations. Further, we find it quite amusing that this proposal has been introduced with the guise of a nation posing as being neutral and peace seeking, only to be concluded by consequences that would involve forcing ones will upon other nations. "The wolf wears sheep clothing" perhaps?

Surely any force used to enforce these laws may potentially escalate to armed conflict which could only do more harm to the environment.

Before such a matter is decided upon, it must be agreed what "consequences" are to be for nations that break these "rules". As well it should be agreed to, that 1st nations set aside funds for developing nations if they wish to comply.

At all cost sovereignty must be observed!

We would accept this kind invitation, however we will be scrutinising the content closely.

Regards,

P.T. Barnum
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Dominion of Parasitic Twins

We shall mark and acknowledge your words for the future. Know that Freebodnik V shall always act with peace and tranquility in mind, and that all enforcement shall be done in a respectful and unarmed manner - meaning enforcement by a binding legal agreement, not by armed forces.


http://www.fantahorror.com/portal/hal9000.jpg
The Governing Artificially Intelligent Mind Network,
First Speaker and MCP for the Community of Freebodnik V
"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."- Albert Einstein
Please enter, Comrade, The Revolution Betrayed by Leon Trotsky (http://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/works/1936-rev/index.htm)

surely you must realize that sometimes, military force may be warranted to enforce laws. Thats just a matter of fact.

The Yshurak Presidential Jet lands gently on an airstrip before coming to a full stop. The door opens to allow Yshurak's president, Jan Horembolg, steps out with the accompanying Yshurak UN Ambassador, Ivon Millente. A waiting transport quickly takes them to the conference site. Both the president and the ambassador a dressed in simple grey suits. President Horembolg is a bright-eyed man of average build with dirty-blond hair. The UN ambassador is dark-haired and tall.

The Conference Begins...

Who would like to bring up their introductory stances?

P.T. Barnum, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dominion of Parasitic Twins - and his personal assistant, a weedy looking young upstart gentlemen, probably on a university internship. They enter the Conference site reception area to be formally introduced to other participants.

P.T. Barnum interupts the informal conversations throughout the room, "We have received word from a delegate of Credonia that military force is indeed being considered to enforce any agreement that is reached here today. Although he did not directly say it will happen, he did suggest that their were possibilities. I warn all TRUE nations that represent peace to take heed of this breaking information. I stated in my acceptance to this conference that my government and I would be carefully scutinising the content of this meeting. I did not have to scrutinise too far."

P.T. Barnum pauses and wipes his brow. It's definately hot and humid in this room. They were not kidding about a "friendly environment", there's no air conditioning! He continues, "I ask that all delegates carefully think this through before anything is signed and agreed upon. In light of this recent news, we are on heightened alert. No fear, I assure you all! We are not prepared for a war unless it is absolutely necessary, and it is because our very survival is at stake. We are a peaceful nation and we plan to keep it that way. I still however think their MAY be "rats in the cornfield". Hitler made the same promises not to invade others after Czechoslovakia too you know...and look what happened there! I suggest all other nations here think the same way. Lets here from Freebodnik V's delegation first! Now please excuse me, I need to get a drink"

P.T. Barnum goes to the bar, assistant in tow.

After having stepped in through the reception themselves, shaking hands and greeting others, Jan Horembolg and Ivon Millente politely clapped at B.T. Barnum's speech. Then they allowed themselves to be sat at a table and ordered a couple dishes and drinks while they enjoyed their attendance at the conference.

Jan slipped a hand into his jacket to pull out a set of prepared speech notes and reviewed them while he and Ivon awaited Freebodnik's delegate to speak. Ivon waved and smiled to a few familiar faces from the United Nations. Occasionally Jan would raise his head from his speech notes to join Ivon's greetings whenever a photographer was present.

Eulalia got up, a slight fluster going into her face. My - I'll have to talk to the volunteers about that installing more of those air-cooling baffles.

"Fellow delegates. We are all gathered here today to discuss affairs regarding our most precious possession - the Earth itself. Now before we get started, I'd like to say that Earth is indesputablt in dire trouble. Collectively, humanity's industrial proccesses pump out more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air, than any natural proccess known in history so far. We cannot deny that humanity's work has an impact on the environment - we are at the point, collectively as one civilisation, where we can enact global changes in our planet. We have this power now, and with this power, comes responsibility."

She takes a breath.

"The earth is poised upon the edge of a knife. One push could upset the balance forever. Life itself will prevail - it has prevailed through a meteor strike and countless other disasters, and it will prevail through us - but how can we guarantee our own survival? It may come to pass that the human, as a species, may be unfit for survival in the new environment that we are creating.

So we come now to this precipice, to talk. And all through it, keep in mind that we have the power, we can change our world - for good or for evil. Let us use it for good."

Eulalia sat down.

Simparieff stood and cleared his throat. "We agree, the situation is at crisis point, and calls for radical surgery before the patient -- the earth we live upon, our mother -- is dead. As a first step, perhaps we might cease fouling our nest and destroying the air we breathe. Every day, more and more children are born with asthma, the effect of our years of careless pollution. We call for an international accord on air quality that would limit emissions of harmful gases."

P.T. Barnum mimiced the applause but he could not find his hands connecting. They could not just come together and blindly accept what was being said.

He took the opportunity of the other delgates praising each other to speak.

"That was two very impassioned speeches Eulalia & Simparieff, both of you I believe speak out of concern and a genuine want to make amends to our global home. Yes I truly do believe this, but I am wondering, as I am sure as the others are, what is the cost? We can talk for hours about green house gases, global warming, ice caps melting, I could go on, but in the end it comes to the cost!

The "well intentioned" often don't realise the full impact their intentions will have on society as a whole. For example, that factory that is forced to reduce emmissions - perhaps can't afford it, and shuts down, laying off hundreds of workers with families. What happens to these people? Will they understand? Quite frankly if I am hungry enough I don't care how much pollution is in the air, I'm concerned about feeding my family and myself.

I suppose you could say, "The Social Net can provide". My answer is there won't be a social net if there are no corporate or private tax dollars coming in!

I am not here to deflate your worthy cause I am just hoping for some logical thought behind this process. When I hear "good & evil" being thrown around my shackles go up. Especially when it is assumed here "evil" means you don't conform and good means you do.

Define in general "good or evil"? I bet we cannot come to a concensus of a definition for these 2 words. My point is, nothing is black and white. If I am concerned that my people eat today at the expense of clean air, am I evil? Certainly not!

To blindly enact protocols which will cost the livelihood of millions and billions of people is evil and that's a definition I think the majority of us can agree upon!"

Barnum, was red faced, the heat hadn't helped, coming from a air conditioned office, to a plane, to this HEAT, was definately not sitting right with him. His assistant could obviously see it, and refilled Barnum's water glass.

"I want to hear something objective. Give me facts, not opinions!"

Barnum sat down quickly, like a sack of sugar being thrown off a truck. He didn't look well.

"Can we afford to make changes?" Silas asks. "The simple answer is, we can't afford not to. In the long run, it is far more expensive to pollute the earth and destroy its natural resources, than it is to stop the destruction now and create green jobs. The problem lies in how GNP is measured. Every time a rain forest it cut down, the GNP goes up. This is insanity. To quopte the slogan: economists must learn to subtract."

evil forums!

The friendly President Jan Horembolg stood up to speak to the crowd. Occasionally he looked at his speech notes. "Here are the facts, my fellow world leaders.

"The ice caps are melting and laying way for navies already planning how to navigate the Arctic Ocean. This is caused by the green house gasses pumped into the atmosphere that are drastically warming the planet. This will make the summers harsher and more inhospitable to live through and even put risk to lives by such things as skin cancer and heat stroke.

"Our world waters are dangerously polluted, causing the mass extinction of many aquatic species. Deadly toxins seep into the soil from rivers and runoff, polluting the very nutrients that grow the food that many forms of life depend on. Deforestation adds to the warmth killing the planet and also causes many animal species to become endangered and extinct.

"A time has come to cut down on toxic emissions, a time to think about the health of the planet. Yshurak suggests that we cut down on the use of fossil fuels and convert to alternate fuel sources such as hydrogen or solar power. We also suggest that recycling businesses receive sponsorship, as not only will they help further the environment, but also create jobs. Another suggestion is to ban chemical pesticides and use more nature friendly pesticides like lady bird beetles and spiders.

"And a final note, if you are a UN nation, there is an environmental proposal on the floor that will back up enforcement of keeping the environment safe. We suggest you vote for it and help further the cause."

Jan finished with a smile to the gathered crowd and sat back down. He slipped his speech notes back into his dress coat.

Eulalia stands again.

"The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has recently disclosed its findings on the rate at which humans are pumping green house gases - most notable of which are carbon dioxide and methane - into the atmosphere. It goes as follows: humans pump over six billion metric tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. This is significant enough to cause a heavy change in the world climate. By releasing carbon dioxide that has been locked up for millions of years, sequestered away and divorced from the carbon cycle, we are putting heavy strains on the earth's ability to remove carbon dioxide and restore a balance. Furthermore, this situation is accentuated, in that over one hundred acres of forest are felled per hour around the world, further removing area for the sequestering of CO2."

P.T. Barnum rises once more from his chair with obvious effort.

"No one here seems to catch my point. We cannot talk about the requested proposals without involving economics. Pure and simple. It is all well and fine to say we will control emissions or we'll ban toxic dumping but does this mean the issue ends there? On the contrary, it then opens up a whole slew of issues. Issues that need to be addressed before you implement any changes is environmental policy. I am not arguing about the effects of our current way of doing business on the planet. I agree, even though I believe not enough conclusive data has been gathered, that there is a problem. But you cannot just make changes and think all will be well. That is just ridiculous.

Take one issue at a time. We will reduce emissions by 20%. Now what does this mean? How are you going to reduce emissions? Do I need to talk to auto industry, do I need to talk to the factories? Who first? What will be the cost? Can the companies survive? Can the country survive without the industry? What about the people? Will they be able to afford the increase cost for the end product? Will they still have jobs? Will they be happy?

If the citizens are not in agreement, you can count on changes in government, or worse revolution!

The question was posed by Silas, "Can we afford to make changes?" and the response was "The simple answer is, we can't afford not to. " How naive to suggest it is that simple. If it was that simple we would have made amends a very long time ago. What we should be patting our backs about is that we are here, we're here to talk about the planet. We should all be commended for just leaving our offices to talk about our affects on the planet. Lets take one step at a time.

Now lets clearly identify what changes we want. Identify how this change will help the planet and what possible problems this may raise. Lets be responsible and rationale here. Lets be thorough, focused and logical. Lets keep the unknown and blindness out. Lets be respectful not only to the planet, but to ourselves, our citizens and to each other."

Thank you."

Barnum sat down once more.

Jan with a sigh, stood up again and placed emphasis on the economic solutions he already stated in reply to Parasitic Twins. "Barnum, did you not hear Yshurak's suggestion about recycling industries and alternative fuels? What about the natural pesticides? Your economic solutions are there!

"Those three things will create jobs alone. Someone would have to be working in the recycling facilities. Someone would have to be refining the new fuel sources. Someone would have to be harvesting and breeding the lady bird beetles and spiders.

"And with taxes, the government makes its money which it can give businesses monetary reward funds for cutting back on factory emissions. What is there not to understand?"

Barnum rose again.

"What's not to understand? Are these recycling plants going to magically appear out of thin air? No!

These new fuel sources, will they be delivered to us free of charge? No!

Will someone build the wind mills, the hydro-electric damns and solar panels for free? No!

Is the training and re-education of these workers going to just happen on it's own? No!

Further, who is going to pay these workers while they learn? Us? With what monies will we use, since it will be sucked dry building, rewarding, and supporting these iniatives?

Are you honestly thinking you can just snap your fingers and all will happen just like that? You need hard capital to implement these strategies. Your government, correction - your people have to be prepared for some extreme hard times before everything is up and running.

I ask the recording secratary to read out my previous statement. In it I clearly state, with full understanding, that we must approach each, single requirement and assess the implications it will have. In doing this we can make decisions responsible, not willy nilly. Now you tell me Jan, what is it that you don't understand about simple economics? Everything has price! That's lesson one for you. Lesson two, don't spend more than what you have. Lesson three, for major investment or purchases, plan and research, looking at the benefits and sacrifices you have to make, before you write the cheque.

Within these lessons is the human equation which will differ from country to country. I cannot help you with that, you must ask your citizens.

I repeat again. Lets take one issue at a time. Perhaps together we can come to some universal conclusions to help one another in implementing these changes. Or are we against helping one another?

Barnum walked out of the room, leaving his assistant, Huck Roberts to answer the aftermath.

Barnum rose again.

"What's not to understand? Are these recycling plants going to magically appear out of thin air? No!

These new fuel sources, will they be delivered to us free of charge? No!

Will someone build the wind mills, the hydro-electric damns and solar panels for free? No!

Is the training and re-education of these workers going to just happen on it's own? No!

Further, who is going to pay these workers while they learn? Us? With what monies will we use, since it will be sucked dry building, rewarding, and supporting these iniatives?

Are you honestly thinking you can just snap your fingers and all will happen just like that? You need hard capital to implement these strategies. Your government, correction - your people have to be prepared for some extreme hard times before everything is up and running.

I ask the recording secratary to read out my previous statement. In it I clearly state, with full understanding, that we must approach each, single requirement and assess the implications it will have. In doing this we can make decisions responsible, not willy nilly. Now you tell me Jan, what is it that you don't understand about simple economics? Everything has price! That's lesson one for you. Lesson two, don't spend more than what you have. Lesson three, for major investment or purchases, plan and research, looking at the benefits and sacrifices you have to make, before you write the cheque.

Within these lessons is the human equation which will differ from country to country. I cannot help you with that, you must ask your citizens.

I repeat again. Lets take one issue at a time. Perhaps together we can come to some universal conclusions to help one another in implementing these changes. Or are we against helping one another?

Barnum walked out of the room, leaving his assistant, Huck Roberts to answer the aftermath.

Jan sighed, shaking his head in disbelief as the man who had stormed out did not see what was right in front of him. He looked to the rest of the crowd. "Did I not mention government funding? Yes the plants won't spring out magically, but with getting existing businesses involved on fixing this problem will be beneficial. And building these industries would give work to the construction companies.

"Certainly that the economy may be tight in the closer future, but the economy is often known to have its rises and falls. In the longrun, once everything is up and running, the price will be well worth the great benefits to come. The economy WILL recover, and the environment WILL be a lot cleaner."

He looked to the man Barnum left behind. "Everything has a price, but the rewards to reap afterward cannot be denied."

Huck Roberts was young, extremely young for this type of political debate. He had read all the text books, studied under some of the most brilliant minds in economics but his application of theory to practice was limited. Barnum had been a great mentor. At 72 Barnum was very near the end of his career, and was eager to leave his legacy to someone of the right ilk, so to speak. Barnum leaving in the middle of a debate was of no surprise. His ailing health was known throughout many circles, and this had casused many upstarts to challenge his experience with their "unproven" methods.

Huck believed in balance. He was young and idealistic and gravitated towards the "new and improved" yet he could not ignore history and the lessons it had shown. He pondered, "Those who do not learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them."

One of Huck's favourite quotes and thus brought him to a balance, you cannot ignore what has happened before. No matter how idealistic, no matter how right something may be, one has to look at the past to draw parallels, and then one can make the right decision. Failure to do so can mean only certain failure.

Huck rose with the weight of a thousand eyes upon him. Whatever her said he would be responsible for, Barnum couldn't bail him out this time.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I speak now for the Honourable P.T. Barnum, who's health has taken him abruptly from this discussion. I hold legal authority in representing the Dominion of Parasitic Twins. I have sat and listened to this debate go around and circles. My mentor has not disagreed with any recommendations that you have made, only in the methods in implementation. He asked for us all to share our wisdom and experience to come to justifiable conclusions to implement these actions in the most amicable means possible.

Instead of being treated as an ally he has been treated as someone who does not understand what is at stake. For that you are wrong and presumptious. Your sighs are heard quite clearly across the room, and I can assure you they have been understood as your physical signs of impatience to reason and practicality. All nations here I would assume have been built with this as their cornerstone - reason and practicality. Remove these and we are nothing more then barbarians waving a club to get our own way.

My home is a democratic state, we hold dear the freedom of speech, the rights of the individual, and the pursuit of happiness. We do not subscibe to a paternalistic form of government. Also we are a nation that believes in the past as our educator towards the future, whether it is our own past or the past of other nations, we must learn before we do.

What you propose here today is noble and honourable, I...we, support this endeavour in theory. But I must support my mentor is saying we must approach each step with caution.

During the late 1600's throughout the 1700's most of Europe went through an Industrial Revolution. We can look back and see what a marvel of advancement this was, but it did also have a cost. It caused famine, it caused great shifts in populations, it increased the rate and spread of disease, it caused violent revolutions and revolts, and great upheavels in the very social fabric that held everything together.

What you are agreeing here is very similar, you're asking for an Environmental Revolution. Sure the benefits will be great, at the end, but what will be the end? What will be the result on us as people, as nations?

We must think methodically before implementation or we will be repeating history!

Jan, if I may call you by your first name, the price you are asking is our humanity if you ask us to blindly implement these recommendations without analysing the ramifications. You should know Government Grants will come from the people. If your people don't support this will you ignore them, and make them do what you think is best? Will you take over as their God Emperor and use force? If you are a democratic nation can you expect your people to give up the only world they know, to go through an unkown amount of time where they will be unsure if they will be fed, clothed or housed?

We support all proposals put forth. However, unlike some of you here we wish to implement with the agreement of the people, and with as little impact to our social net. We would like it if you partake in a mutual discussion in doing this with us. However we will not support any country in causing willing strife to it's people without it's legal consent. Doing so would be a human rights violation, as well as manslaughter.

Thank you.

Huck sat down, his heart thumping like a rabbits.

"No one has been treated like an enemy," Silas says. "We have advanced some suggestions on what needs to be done. No suggestions have been made yet on implementation. First, decide what needs to be done. Then, discuss ways that it can be done. Everyone here feels the same on that matter, so i'm bewildered why there is an argument."

"Dear Huck," Jan spoke again, "I believe that most people in the world are growing to be more environmentally conscious and thus willing to support anything that will help. They worry for the lives of their children's cihildren's children's children. My country is extremely democratic and grow more environmentally conscious each day. Constantly in Yshurak, laws to preserve the environment are proposed and passed a million to one.

"If Yshurak's citizens are willing enough for the change, why not citizens across the world. I do believe that environmental consciousness is universal... is it not?" Jan tilted his head with curiosity, his gaze wandering the room over the crowd.

Huck's heart stopped its pounding. He liked this Silas, for trying to bring quarum and focus to the conversation at hand.

"I applaud you Silas for your redirection of the matter. There is no quarrel with us and we do not feel we are being treated as enemies. We just hope that each suggestion is made individually so that recommendations can be made accordingly. We recognise that some of these suggestions may have overlap with the recommendations and this will make things more clear for all parties.

As for Jan's last comments, we refrain from entertaining a response at this time, as we feel further discussion would mimic a comparison between apples and oranges!

President Jan Horembolg frowned some and sat back down at his table. Ivon gave a light, assuring pat on the shoulder before continuing to observe the civil discussions.

Eulalia stands once more, flustering.

"Well..." she begins, in her quiet, resonant voice, "what is there to be done?"

"What must be done to correct the situation are these, which I am very pleased to present to you, as drafted by the people of Freebodnik V. It is very plain, and very simple, and I hope that we can resolve this quickly and assiduously.

I: We must control greenhouse gas emissions.

II: We must control deforestation.

III: We must control industrial pollution.

IV: We must replenish natural resources, like fisheries, flora and fauna, endangered species, and minerals resources.

V: We must control population growth.

VI: We must enact sustainable farming methods to prevent the collapse of natural aquifers.

VII: We must control the wastage of materials.

VIII: We must engender popular knowledge and foster support for the active and massive participation of the people in this effort.

IX: We must engender international support for the control of emissions, the control of pollution, the control of wastage, the control of population growth, the control of mining, logging, and other environmentally unsafe activities.

X: We must protect the earth for future generations, using it wisely and efficiently, to preserve it for the future use of humanity everywhere.

"These words are as set forth by the people of Freebodnik V, on July the 22nd, 206 years after the third millenium (ASM 206), A.D. 2206."

Eulalia sits.

Silas Simparieff sits listening to the plan, more and more impressed with it. As Eulalia finishes, he rises.

"A most excellent plan. Here are the bones for an international action agenda to protect the earth. We would be pleased to endorse this plan, with one exception: the point on population growth.

"The problem that this point is designed to address is the increasing strain on resources. The problem has its roots not in over-all population, but over-all consumption. A wealthy country with a small population will often consume far more than a large, poor country such as my own. The problem is not over-population alone, but over-consumption by economies based on greed. I suggest Point V be modified to say: We must control the growth in consumption, by slowing population growth and reducing per capita consumption to sustainable levels."

Huck sat there listening to the list being read off by Eulalia, which sounded more or less as optimum outcomes. As he pondered the list he quickly found himself whincing as he heard Silas jumping in, "A most excellent plan...We would be pleased to endorse this plan..."

Had he heard correctly? Was it true?

Huck rose, " Umm, excuse me Silas? Forgive me Eulalia, but I must seek clarification. I have not heard any plan to either deny or endorse. I have heard only a list of goals or potential optimum outcomes. I have yet heard any plans to reach these noble goals. We may however choose or not choose to accept the goals. But lets be clear on the language we have not settled on any "plan". Huck raised both his hands and mimiced quotation marks.

"As for Silas's proposed amendment and rationale, we are unclear of the logic to lead to this conclusion. We concur, " A wealthy country with a small population will often consume far more than a large", but economies based on greed? That is an extremely subjective statement. This is a meeting to discuss environmental protection. Although there is a definate corelationship between the protection of the environment and economics, I hardly think we should be using this as a platform to discuss economic idealogy, especially if what is proposed is a direct violation of civil liberties, including rights and freedoms of the individual.

We completely accept Eulalia's and Freebodnik V's 10 resolutions as they stand without any amendments. With the condition that these are goals that we should strive to meet. Further, I am motioning that no country that signs this agreement, shall compete using methods that do not meet the set forth requirements with countries that have already implemented such changes. These countries would be restricted in international trade until they made the necessary changes."

Huck sat down.

Jan stroked his chin thoughtfully as he listened to Eulalia read the list. To him it did seem simple, too simple. He grimaced in slight disappointment after the reading was done and found that this time, he agreed a little more with the delegate from Parasitic Twins.

"Indeed it is only a list of goals," he spoke. "A plan is more complex and tells how you're to achieve these means. Yshurak will endorse this paper; however, provided that it's only recognized as a list of goals."

Eulalia stands again.

"Well, Honourable Mr. Huck, sir, Mr. P.T. Barnum asked for a list of goals. He wanted us to identify what changes should happen. He wanted a list of things to be done. I gave them. Our job here, is to decide how to get there."

*bump*

*BUMP*

"I have already made my suggestions," Jan said. "It's time to see if any others have other ideas."

Silas Simparieff stands up again, and reads from his notes. "As i said, i think we have here a bare bones action plan. Our job now is to put flesh on these bones."

I: We must control greenhouse gas emissions.

"Emissions are out of control. As a first step, let us freeze emissions at their present level. We suggest all states set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emisisons by 10% over the next ten years. We must also provide tax breaks for those who use non-polluting technologies, as an incentive to switch, and finance this by increasing taxes on polluting industries by a corresponding amount."

II: We must control deforestation.

"This can be done by enforcing UN resolutions that call for replanting to be done in pace with deforestation. We also suggest that countries establish a atrget of protecting a minimum of 12% of their land area for old-growth forest and wilderness."

III: We must control industrial pollution.

"The same ideas already suggested under point one apply here."

IV: We must replenish natural resources, like fisheries, flora and fauna, endangered species, and minerals resources.

"We suggest an international biodiversity convention. Trade in endangered species should be forbidden, and wildlife reserves established. In my country, tourism revenues are more than adfequate to finance this sort of project. An endangered species registry should be established and killing of the most endangered species prohibited."

V: We must control population growth.

"I have already argued for a change to this point. It is over-consumption that is the problem, not over-population."

VI: We must enact sustainable farming methods to prevent the collapse of natural aquifers.

"Again, we suggest tax breaks for sustainable-method agriculture, the funds to be made up by increasing taxes on non-sustainable agribusiness."

VII: We must control the wastage of materials.

"Recycling on a large sclae can be immensely profitable. A recycling industry will more than pay for itself. We suggest a packaging tax to encourage reduction in over-packaging. Tax breaks could be provided for businesses that miniaturize products."

VIII: We must engender popular knowledge and foster support for the active and massive participation of the people in this effort.

"We suggest this work is best done by non-governmental organizations, but publicity can be assisted by governments too. Prizes can be awarded for citizens who lead worthy environmental projects such as river-bed clean-ups. Organizations such as Greenpeace should be welcomed into all countries."

IX: We must engender international support for the control of emissions, the control of pollution, the control of wastage, the control of population growth, the control of mining, logging, and other environmentally unsafe activities.

"There are a number of UN resolutions on these issues. All UN members should be held accountable to live up to them, and expelled from the UN if they do not follow these binding resolutions. We can also draft further UN resolutions on the environment. We can go to the larger alliances and make these points at their headquarters. We can call on religions to respect their own faith's teachings on respect for the earth. Do not most religions teach that we are stewards of creation, not its owners?"

X: We must protect the earth for future generations, using it wisely and efficiently, to preserve it for the future use of humanity everywhere.

"This is a general statement of principles that deserves support. Let us also look to the past and the indigenous peoples who have lived sustainably on the earth, learngin from their wisdom. We need to prtect intellectual property rights of these peopels and insist on their right to exist. Human diversity will aid biodiversity."

Jan and Ivon clap in unison, approving Silas' commentary.

"Now that sounds more like a plan," Jan said.

Huck stood.

"We agree with all of Sila's recommendations as feasible. However we do not agree with the methodology behind point V. A substitute for controlling overpopulation is not stopping consumerism. We disagree with this for several reasons.

i) Controlling purchase power will limit incoming tax revenue.
ii) It will put limits on production for businesses decreasing their sustainabilty, thus making them unable to compete globally.
iii) Tax collection from these businesses will decrease accordingly.
iv) It goes against the principles of a free market system, thus is a violation of rights and freedoms.

Even if you did limit consuming, as the population grows there will still be a greater demand. In other words, it is a futile attempt to address the issues and will only hamper the "greater picture".

We suggest for point V the institution of these recommendations.

1) Aggressive Public Health marketing of Birth Control measures.
2) Marketing of our reasons for controlling the population.
3) Full legalisation and sponsorship of Abortion - maintaining the right of free choice, but limiting the financial burdon on the individual.
4) Government incentives such as reducing taxes for smaller families.

These recommendations should help in controlling population without infringing on the rights of the individual.

"We do not object to these steps," Silas says. "But it would be a mistake to blame the poor for the strain on resources, when it is the rich who consume more despite their smaller numbers. If a country one one billion poor people consumes one kilo each of a given product, and a country of 100 million rich people consumes 20 kilos each, then the rich country is the one straining resources, usign a total of 2-billion kilos -- twice as much as the so-called over-populated poor country. So the idea that reducing population is the way to reduce the strain on resources is simply wrong. Over-population needs to be curbed, but if we only look at over-population and not at over-consumption, then we are missing half the problem.

"Population growth will decline not through coercive birth control campaigns, but through making contraceptives widely available, and through a more educated population. But what we need is education aimed at convincing the rich to consume less, not education aimed at convincing the poor to reproduce less. We have to look at the whole problem of strain on resources, not just half of it."

Eulalia smiles, pleased that, while they got off on a bumpy start, they managed to get on to nice, productive work.

"Freebodnik V is in favour of an equal, balanced course of action, one that takes into account both sides of the equation. While we acknowledge that there are nations with economies and governments different from our own, we, for one, believe that everyone can always come to an agreement. Let us not look to one single cause, or point fists at one group or another, but conduct ourselves in a spirit of forgiveness and mutual co-operation, and let us spread this spirit elsewhere, to other nations.

"Having said this, we have our own proposal to help reduce carbon dioxide levels everywhere.

Founded in 2100 as an independent haven for otherwise-banned nanotechnological research, Freebodnik V has been a locus of nanotech progress. Recently, Freebodnik scientists have designed a small, plantlike machine filled with experimental nano-robots programmed to take in carbon dioxide and process out the raw carbon, releasing oxygen as a by-product. While experimental, and completely dependent on solar power, we've found that a small field of such devices can fix over fifty thousand metric tonnes of carbon dioxide in one year. Obviously, it spells out a major technological solution to the urgent problem of carbon dioxide emission control."

"This, however, leads us to a question - what regulations should we put on new sciences, such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, and new materials science, in order to protect the environment, but at the same time, uphold the ideals of Freedom of Information as well?"

"The regulations should state that such sciences must be beneficial to the world and humankind," Jan spoke again with a gentle smile. "Harmful high technologies should be prohibited or heavily monitored."

"Silas, it is apparent that your country's political direction is anti-business thus anticonsumerism. We are not here to judge you on your political idealogy. If you wish to control consumerism in your state, we will not interfere, we will even support a motion to set this as an OPTION under section 5. However, we will not endorse this in our country, and we will not recommend this course to any other nation. So do what you wish with controlling consumerism.

We are intrigued by this nano technology Eulalia! You say this is in its experimental phase. Have you had any problems with this device? Can it be programmed to shut on and off to maintain homeostasis? Have you explored other possabilities yet?

We are in full support of biotechnology and other accompanied sciences. The possibilities are endless! Not only may it be used to reduce, control and ultimately eliminate pollution, but it may also be used to wipe out hunger!

"Silas, it is apparent that your country's political direction is anti-business thus anticonsumerism. We are not here to judge you on your political idealogy. If you wish to control consumerism in your state, we will not interfere, we will even support a motion to set this as an OPTION under section 5.

"Thank you," Silas replies witha bow. "That is all we are asking for."

"Well Mr. Huck, sir, there is an extremely big problem with nanotechnology in its present form. You see, there are two kinds of nano-robots - the nanomachines and the nanites. Nanites are equipped to survive in the outside world, while nanomachines only work in special shielded chambres, safe from the vagaries of EM radiation. We do not dare build nanites - there is a minute, though real, danger of minor programming and transcription errors when the machines are exposed to EM radiation - and any nanotechnological disaster of that sort poses the threat of creating a 'nano-bloom', or the runaway procreation of nanites. Hence, our nanomachines only function in specially-designed 'blackchambres', shielded in sheets of lead, and mixed in a supporting gel-fluid suspension.

These nanomachines are designed to take apart carbon dioxide molecules - specifically - and no other. They are quite safe for use. The 'nanoplants' themselves are about one metre tall and greyish in colour. They have six rectangular plates attached to the 'stem' which absorb solar energy to power the nanomachines within. The nanomachines - which are in the 'leaves' themselves - take apart carbon dioxide absorbed through grilles on the bottom surfaces of the leaves. The nanoplants are anchored to the ground by a fine network of 'roots'.

And yes. We have explored many possibilities - in fact - our economy in its present form is dependent on nanotechnology to completely recycle every waste item produced back into useful raw materials. If you look, you'll see small metal boxes that resemble trash cans here and there - they are actually Freebodnik V's nano-factories, and they produce whatever every commune deems is neccessary."