PROBLEM SOLVING CARDS Population and Consumption You notice that your natural resources are becoming overused and studies indicate that your society is consuming more that can be sustained in the long term. Do you consider the needs of future generations? How do you deal with a growing population and the overconsumptive habits of your society? Energy You must come up with an energy policy. Your ship was a nuclear ship and the equipment could be adapted for the production of nuclear power. You also have oil reserves right off your Western coast that you can tap and internal combustion engines from the ship. And you have the capability to build windmills, solar collectors and steam generators. You have your forests and you have a student that has studied energy efficient architecture. What are the pros and cons of each of the sources of energy? For what purposes will you need energy? How will you generate this energy? International Finance and Debt Representatives have visited you from another planet. They explain that although they cannot take you to their planet, they can assist you in improving yours. They will lend you the money and machinery to enable you to produce 10 times as much on your fields if in return you will grow and sell the crops needed by their society and if, once you have made enough money, you will repay them at 10% annual interest. Remember, many of the fields that produce a variety of for your people will now get planted with cash crops for export. And these fields, because they are planted with one crop, may require pesticides and artificial fertilizers. Also, the visitors wish to lend the money to the most well off in your society to protect their investment, so the land holdings of these individuals may grow and force others to sell their land and become workers on the big farms. What are the pros and cons of this offer? Do you accept this offer? Why or why not? Non-material Economy Some people want to devote themselves to philosophical thinking, poetry, art and spiritual development. Are these valid ways to make a living in your society? Are they contributing to society? How could such contributions be acknowledged or rewarded? Are there other types of non-material work that should be acknowledged or rewarded? What does it mean to be a healthy and productive citizen?
PROBLEM SOLVING CARDS Population and Consumption You notice that your natural resources are becoming overused and studies indicate that your society is consuming more that can be sustained in the long term. Do you consider the needs of future generations? How do you deal with a growing population and the overconsumptive habits of your society? Energy You must come up with an energy policy. Your ship was a nuclear ship and the equipment could be adapted for the production of nuclear power. You also have oil reserves right off your Western coast that you can tap and internal combustion engines from the ship. And you have the capability to build windmills, solar collectors and steam generators. You have your forests and you have a student that has studied energy efficient architecture. What are the pros and cons of each of the sources of energy? For what purposes will you need energy? How will you generate this energy? International Finance and Debt Representatives have visited you from another planet. They explain that although they cannot take you to their planet, they can assist you in improving yours. They will lend you the money and machinery to enable you to produce 10 times as much on your fields if in return you will grow and sell the crops needed by their society and if, once you have made enough money, you will repay them at 10% annual interest. Remember, many of the fields that produce a variety of for your people will now get planted with cash crops for export. And these fields, because they are planted with one crop, may require pesticides and artificial fertilizers. Also, the visitors wish to lend the money to the most well off in your society to protect their investment, so the land holdings of these individuals may grow and force others to sell their land and become workers on the big farms. What are the pros and cons of this offer? Do you accept this offer? Why or why not? Non-material Economy Some people want to devote themselves to philosophical thinking, poetry, art and spiritual development. Are these valid ways to make a living in your society? Are they contributing to society? How could such contributions be acknowledged or rewarded? Are there other types of non-material work that should be acknowledged or rewarded? What does it mean to be a healthy and productive citizen?
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