This is our baseline. It can only get better from here.
Clearly we have a lot of work to do. So let's start the process in earnest NOW--long before millions of Americans are forced, with little or no advance warning, to abandon their coastal residences.
So what is that creative IDEA?
It begins with setting aside a ten-mile-wide corridor of land extending from Atlanta to Los Angeles. In the center of that corridor will be a hyper-loop train system than will enable rapid, highly efficient movement of people, food and other freight across the country.
Ultimately, this system can eliminate the need for the vast majority of travel by automobile or airplane--both of which are environmental disasters.
The southern location was selected because of a number of factors like moderate climate, more access to solar energy, proximity to food sources, no huge mountains to cross and the sheer abundance of sparsely developed open spaces.
Within that corridor we can build a "Shangri-La" of sorts, featuring an ultra-green way of enjoyable living that will appeal to almost everyone. And it will be designed in such a manner that will minimize human interference with nature.
Think of this new Shangri-La as an exquisitely planned human habitat covering 22,000 square miles and capable of providing an exceptionally
rich lifestyle for up to 100 million residents.
Worried about population density? The above numbers will equate to about 5,000 residents per square mile, which would be 80% less dense than New York City is today. Also, no one would be forced to move to America's new "green" region.
Instead, interested residents would undergo a thorough application process in which they formally agree to abide by an extensive set of community lifestyle regulations--all of which are aimed at protecting Mother Nature.
A few ideas regarding how this might work:
1. Vehicles.
No one will "own" an automobile or bicycle. All would be shared and the autos would be powered by batteries that are charged 100% by renewable energy, primarily solar and wind.
2. Amenities.
Parks, theaters, schools, natural spaces, biking paths, fountains and playgrounds would be abundant and beautiful.
3. HyperLoop Trains.
I envision three tubes in each direction: Local, Express and
Freight
. Most
people
could walk, bike or use shared
vehicles to access this amazing system that could traverse the entire country in three hours. And most of it would be above ground, thereby affording breathtaking views at speeds up to 760 mph.
4. What about food?
You guessed it, all food will be plant based. If anyone still doubts the grossly unsustainable insanity of eating animals, they should read
this latest news
about the overflowing "pig poop lagoons" in North Carolina.
5. Housing & Energy.
All housing units would be designed to best leverage the highly efficient use of renewable energy to provide an exceptionally enjoyable lifestyle for all. And all human waste would be recycled.
6. Government & Economy?
Above my pay grade and to be determined. But it would be nothing like what we currently have in the USA. Its overarching objective would be the protection of nature coupled with providing a life of comfort, meaning and dignity for all citizens. A true win-win for all concerned.
What about government? I am calling it the American Green Region Authority (AGRA)--an organization that would be charged with managing this futuristic human habitat almost like a totally new country.
7. Future Vision
. While the system is being rolled out and fine-tuned in that southern corridor, future regional systems could be planned.
For example, we might want one to connect the Chicago area with the southern corridor in Texas and other viable routes to provide access to the NE and NW regions of the USA. And just think about the millions of jobs that will be created.
Are we capable of making this happen? Noted Harvard biologist, theorist and naturalist, E.O. Wilson says "yes" --but with some reservations:
"We have enough intelligence, goodwill, generosity and enterprise to turn Earth into a paradise both for ourselves and for the biosphere that gave us birth...the problem is that we are an innately dysfunctional species." --
E.O. Wilson
Maybe we can prove him wrong about our dysfunction.
Ultimately, I envision over 300 million Americans living in three or four corridors requiring a total of less than 100,000 square miles, an area about the size of Oregon.
That would mean that over 90% of our nation's citizens could live comfortably in less than 5% of our total area. After setting aside certain areas for food production, recreation, military and manufacturing--the rest could be returned completely to nature.
No doubt you have many questions about this whole "idea." I look forward to hearing those questions and to sharing further thoughts with you in person. Perhaps you can attend my next speaking event in NYC or maybe you can invite me to speak somewhere near you.
Sincerely, J. Morris (Jim) Hicks
PS: Try to consider the
positives to be gained rather than dwelling on certain luxuries that might be lost. Also, we should think about the absolute
horror show that will ensue if, or when, our civilization collapses.
I truly believe that the process I have described herein is our generation's chance to help make a satisfying life possible for all of the innocent children who follow us.
One more thing, I encourage you to tell the good people at TED Talks that this is truly "an idea worth sharing."
NYC on Oct. 17.
Do you have friends in or near New York City? If so, please tell them that I will be delivering a "big picture" presentation (with emphasis on hope) at a venue near Penn Station, beginning at 6:30 pm and including a pot-luck dinner. Click here for details
and to make a reservation.
Finally,
here are links to a few related pieces from the past few weeks:
