Suchergebnisse

Cover -- Urban Development 2120 -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- Chapter 1: Predicting the Future -- Chapter 2: Greening and Global Warming Response -- Chapter 3: Population Expansion -- Chapter 4: Urban Planning -- Chapter 5: Move to Urban Environments -- Chapter 6: Government Planning Response -- Chapter 7: Biological Risk Assessment -- Chapter 8: Disaster Response Mechanisms -- Chapter 9: Legal Framework -- Chapter 10: Road Maps -- Chapter 11: Designer Cities -- Chapter 12: Financing -- Chapter 13: Enforcement -- Chapter 14: Political Ramifications -- Chapter 15: Planet Earth -- About the Author -- Index -- Ad Page -- Back Cover.

Some of the greatest minds of the century have predicted that, up to at least 80 percent, if not more, of the world's workforce will be replaced by computers or artificial intelligence, the only uncertainty is about the time frame. The average prediction on timing of losses appears to be about 30 years, but many believe it will be sooner. No matter the exact period, the impact on our planet will eventually be enormous because governments will still need to find a way to provide the unemployed with money on which to live and a Universal Basic Income, a UBI, or something like it, is proposed to be paid to everyone without means test. That solution might appear well in theory, but the large numbers of unemployed will not want to be marginalized and will demand over time that the UBI be increased. Following human nature, under a democratic system as we know it, supposedly based on one person one vote, people will vote for whoever gives them more, and more, until the economic system breaks down unable to afford the payments. The question is whether democracy will survive the challenge or whether we finish with a benign group of bureaucrats at the top who decide what is in the best interests of the majority and the rest of the global population just accept it.

Over the years many books have been written about negotiation techniques from many different perspectives. Out of the most famous Western ideologies, the main theme appears to have been to keep bombarding the other side in one way or the other until they say "Yes." Unfortunately, under many cultures that "Yes" can often mean "Perhaps," or even "No." As Einstein suggested, "Insanity is the madness of doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result." The Middle East and North Korea seemed to be getting nowhere, although one famous negotiation book boasts it was used at Camp David. Then despite all the odds, along comes a Trump who turns these traditional inviolate negotiating rules on their head and breaks years of stalemate. North and South Korea still on a war footing are talking to each other and prisoners have been released. No one has to like Trump the man, but his technique has demonstrated a whole new approach to negotiation outside of traditional norms, which while it might have some unintended consequences, will never see negotiation techniques the same ever again.

In parts of New Zealand the beef and dairy industry is being threatened by possums spreading bovine tuberculosis to cattle. As a result new strategies for the long term control of possum populations have been developed. For these strategies, management plans are prepared which detail the control programme for each area. New control strategies are being developed which include long term annual control to reduce infestation of treated areas. Research is being increased in an attempt to find long term answers with improved control techniques and more importantly the possibilities of biological control. Central and Local Government are providing long term funding for these management plans.

Vertebrate pest control in New Zealand is changing as a result of a reduction in state funding. Monetary assistance for control programmes is being withdrawn at $0.8 million per year and currently is $5.4 million. This reduction affects several parts of the organization and the Agricultural Pests Destruction Council has initiated various programmes to rationalize control. The major effect of reducing assistance is that the landowners have to contribute more money. The necessity of blanket control of rabbits is now questioned and two investigations are underway to determine the extent of the areas where rabbit control is required and demonstrate the effects of withdrawing any form of control from certain land classes. A national recording scheme is being implemented and computerization with a common format will enable pest districts to pinpoint problems and the APDC to summarize the national scene. Changes in technology have enabled the work force involved in control to reduce from 1200 (1972) to 400 (1986) with no apparent increase in reported pest problems. These changes include increased mechanization of bait manufacture, improvements in ground-laying techniques from 4-wheel drive vehicles, motorcycles, and use of fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. Increased reliance is placed on Rhodamine bait trials for deciding whether poisoning programmes go ahead and trials of anticoagulants for rabbit control are continuing. An Environmental Impact Report on the introduction of rabbit fleas and the virus myxomatosis was commissioned by the APDC but not submitted for audit because of public opposition, uncertainties in performance, and perceived technical problems relating to the establishment of the rabbit flea in parts of the problem areas.