Heinz Aeschbach, M.D.  
Humane Civilization Andean Vendors
 Humane
 Civilization
  A Draft Manuscript
   humane-civilization.org home

Mexican Street Vendor

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Ethics, Economics and the Future of the World

  Environment / Global Warming

January 2009
   Radically decreasing meat consumption is by far the most efficient and quickest way of decreasing greenhouse gases. Public transportation, solar, wind and geothermal energy, etc. should be pursued but take much longer than promoting vegetarian products. We need to introduce increasing taxation of meat products according to greenhouse gas production and use of agricultural resources. This will greatly benefit the environment, improve the general health of people and create a much safer food supply for the Third World countries.


August 2010
Pets, particularly dogs, are a major burden for our ecology, increasing greenhouse gases, polluting and competing for limited resources. Particularly parts of the USA should greatly decrease the pet population. Many animals are poorly taken care of and are much more a burden to owners than a loving asset to a family. Euthanizing unwanted 'rescue' animals is the ethically right solution.


Regarding transportation and improved governance, see  4.5 Improved Democratic Governance 4.5.9




      H. Aeschbach, M.D.:   About the Principal Author
We may have different talents and temperaments, but we all experience grave inherent and cultural conflicts, and it is our environment, the social institutions of a civilization, which is to bring out the best of human nature.
If we have no vision of more ethical and humane institutions, our civilizations may destroy themselves or drift toward anarchy.
   If we do not trust our government, is this not an indictment of our constitution? Is this not a challenge to rethink the structure of the government?
   A humane civilization promotes small communities that support all inhabitants, individuals and families. Its government is a decentralized democracy. Natural ethics and efficiency are guiding principles of all institutions.
   In a humane, democratic economy, money is allocated by elected representatives of credit unions and development banks, not by profit-driven financial institutions and investors. Bank lending is limited but consistent, thus avoiding business cycles and large fluctuations in the functional money supply. Development banks' primary function is to advance quality of life for present and future generations, rather than material growth. Production and service organizations are decentralized, adapted to local conditions and needs. A function of taxation is to discourage what is recognized as bad for society, ecology and future generations.
   Instead of equal rights and justice, humane conditions for all is the primary goal. Families, schools, communities and service organizations help prevent unethical acts and criminal careers. People who are dangerous to self or others are treated, if necessary, in safe, structured long-term residential facilities. Natural ethics is the guiding principle of all institutions.