Interesting take, although I’d disagree that the “best choice is obvious” as regards alternative sources of energy. Only the worst choices (i.e. the ones we should not use) are obvious to me, alternative sources of energy will vary depending on the country and region, and critical feedback which continues to reveal new things (some positive, some negative) about renewable energy sources.

I would say profit already is at (and has been for generations) “god-like status.” I definitely concur on the unequal distribution of food though. But how can the food market become more open?

I equally think it is unwise to deem a certain percentage people as always to go hungry. Let’s be positive and reach for 100% distribution, rather than designating a percentage of human beings as lost causes (not your words but my interpretation).

The issue of birth control is not “preposterous,” it is in fact a highly significant bone of contention for major world religions and cannot simply be thrown to one side, no matter what we envisage the benefits to be. I do not possess a solution to deal with this, just wanted to highlight the importance of the problem.

Liked your use of statistics and imagery particularly in the closing paragraphs, feel free to comment on mine!

Hi there! I don't understand how a more liberalized food market would solve food distribution problems. Can you explain? Moreover, it is important to keep in mind that food imports are a major source of CO2 emission and one key recommendation to consumers for climate change is to purchase *local* products.

However, like you, I share the diagnosis that the main obstacle might lie in dominant values and that a shift toward less individualism, consumerism and more solidarity could make a big difference. The question becomes: how do we foster such a shift?

First of all, thank you very much for your comments.
-> Thomas: as far as I am concerned, the biggest problem was represented by the word limit. 1000 words aren't quite eneough to tackle such important and complicated issues. That's why my essay has some "gaps". I basically agree with everything you wrote, although I need to make one point clear (my fault, i didn't explain myself well in the essay). I do not view the issue of birth control as "preposterous", not at all. But take the attitude of the Church, for example, and its crusade against the use of condoms. With all due respect, it's obvious what devastating effects such an anachronistic "lobbying" can have in Africa, for example, and that's why it should be avoided.
-> Benoit: I agree completely on the "local" product purchasing. However, how do you do so if your country just refines sugar cane, or cultivates cocoa? You become dependant on imports (which, like you perfectly put, isn't too good). That's why i think that multiple coltivation is an important tool to overcome this issue.

Hi Andrea, I totally agree on 1000 words! At one stage I was at 2500 and could have kept going, I imagine everyone ran into the same problem lol. I understand you now on the birth control issue, had similar probems in getting what I wanted understood across in my essay. I agree with you that the position of the Church is damaging to health, just felt that its not an issue that will be easy to solve. Cheers for comment!

Hi Andrea,
Thank you for such a nice opinion about my essay! :-))) At the beginning I also found those 1000 words as a huge problem:) I started writting down my ideas and thoughts about the essay topic and I noticed I have ... 10 big pages and it doesn't look like the end! ;) So I decided to choose the strongest thoughts I wanted to share with others. I'm happy to see yours nad Thomas comments - that makes me feel better that not only I had such a problem! ;) It's great we can disscuss here and complete or explain.

Your essay - I think you put there many VERY important datas! And many good ideas, possible to implement in many countries all over the world, universal ones. Like - car pooling, I love the idea and still don't know why people do not use it often. As the supplement of it I find public transport which is very popular and working well in whole Europe.

Renewable energies - as it was said, it's great idea, still need to be much more developed in many regions but not able to meet total energy demand. In EU we have really good programmes, e.g. Inelligent Energy Europe. Great example is city of Hilderberg I mentioned in my essay, I reccomend to read about this project, e.g. here:
http://www.cleanenergyawards.com/top-navigation/nominees-projects/nominee-detail/project/25/

Bulbs vs. fluorescent lamps - I feel doubts about it. Fluorescent lamps are much more difficult to recycle than traditional bulbs.

In the past I was against implementing ideas by law but now I agree there is no other way. So I agree with you that tax, regulations, fines are neccessary; supported by education, of course.

"Fair trade" products. I agree there is a problem with promoting them. Here we maybe have more local products we prefer to buy cause in polish society exists such beliefe that "Polish food is the best in the world" :), really. But e.g. clothes - we buy "made in China" stuff cause it's cheaper. Hard to change it.

Congrats for the very well written essay.
Magdalena.