My grandparents lived in New Hampshire, which is a very foresty sort of area.
When the new world started came to the US, New Hampshire was something like 97% forest.
By the early part of this century it was more like 50% as wood was the main fuel and main constuction material used to build the new world.
Today it is like 90%.
Quote:
The things we destroy during the process of living which we will not be able to replace during our lifetimes nor those of our children or grandchildren.
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The things we create during the process of living will give our children and grandchildren wealth, knowledge, and the ability to address and overcome problems. The nature of progress is that first we consume what we have to - then we become productive - then we consume less raw materials per head. It's inevitable because productivity literally means doing more things with less goods. Although you can't see it, most knowledge workers in a productive economy are trying to figure out how to get more out of less. From the marketers who package less to be more, to the engineers who try to figure out an easier and cheaper way to manufacture, to the cost accountants who try to figure out what the cost per item exactly is so it can be reduced.
There are environmental issues, no question about it, but if we work in a market-friendly way these things can be addressed without seriously reducing overall wealth or lifestyle.