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Biofuels for transport.
The article discusses the challenges faced by the government in New Zealand in making the country more energy efficient with less reliance in fossil fuels. It examines whether partial or complete substitution of biofuels to fossil fuels would ameliorate climate change and greenhouse gas problems. The social problems that could arise resulting from the substitution of biofuels for fossil fuels is explored.
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ECONOMICS/BUSINESS.
This section presents several articles in various publications that provide an outlook of the economic conditions of several countries. "Global Covenant: The Social Democrat Alternative to the Washington Consensus," by D. Held focuses on the so-called deep drivers, data and trends in an examination of changes in the global order. "World Development Report 2006: Equity and Development," by the World Bank looks at the poverty levels in some developing countries.
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Electric Vehicles: mirage or prospect.
The article looks at the possible use of electric vehicles as an alternative to internal combustion engine-driven vehicles. It offers information on battery-powered vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Electric vehicles are receiving greater public recognition and entering commercial production as the prices of oil continue to increase.
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ENERGY/MINERALS.
This section presents several articles in various publications that provide an outlook of energy and mineral resources. "The Long Emergency: Surviving the Converging Catastrophes of the 21st Century," by J.H. Kuntsler examines a world likely to develop if new fuels and technologies never replace fossil fuels at the rate, scale and manner the world consumes them. P.A. Smith reports the effects of the increasing prices of petroleum products, both internationally and for the suppliers in the Middle East.
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Excess Capital, The Background To The Oil Shocks.
The article presents a speech by New Zealand Futures Trust member John Robinson delivered at the Futures Thinking Aotearoa Forum on October 3, 2006. He discusses the connection between oil price increases and the global economy, patterns in the behavior of large-scale economies which repeat overtime, including the collapse of capitalism that leads to the birth of communism, and the overproduction in the car industry.
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Future Times -- Looking Back.
The article considers some of the possible consequences of population projections published by the New Zealand Department of Statistics in 1986. By 2010, Baby Boomers are in all the leading positions of power and their values, will dominate and determine the shape of New Zealand. Also by that time, one in four under the age of 14 will be of non-European origin brought by changes in the immigration policy. The factors that will cause discrepancies in the labor force is discussed.
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FUTURE WATCH.
The article presents information on several published articles on climate change and the economy. An article by J. Paavola and W. N. Adger published in "Ecological Economics" outlines key justice dilemmas which can create problems in current proposals for climate change adaptation. W. Laurence reports in "New Scientist" on the accelerating destruction of Amazonian forest. M. Taniguchi reflects on East Asian Community since the 1997 currency crisis in an article in the August 2005 issue of "Asia-Pacific Perspectives."
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FUTURES THINKING.
This section presents several articles in various publications that are related to forecasting. Historian E. Hobsbawm and banker J. Attali debated the relevance of Karl Marx for the 21st century. Foresight and governance experts, R. Olson, D. Rejeski review a century of futures research to evaluate the impact of futurism. P. van der Duin re-examined a study prepared by the Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy in 1977.
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Is the balance of payments and international debt a ticking time-bomb?
The article presents a speech by New Zealand Futures Trust member Petrus Simons delivered at the Futures Thinking Aotearoa Forum in October 3, 2006. He discusses the state of New Zealand's economy and the imbalances in the world's financial system and the benefits of implementing sustainable options. He concludes that New Zealand's balance of payments combined with high foreign debt poses great challenges.
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Legislation needed to get electric cars on New Zealand roads.
The article calls for a legislation in New Zealand that would provide a safety standard covering electric cars that would be significant in responding to the global warming and energy challenges. The benefits of using electric cars instead of internal combustion cars are discussed. The political issue arising from the use of electric cars is explored.
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Obituaries.
The article presents obituaries for Hugh Kawharu and Bridget Farrelly, long-term supporters of New Zealand Futures Trust.
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Social Foresight.
The article focuses on the so-called social foresight, which is claimed by futurist Richard Slaughter to be a more comprehensive discipline of foresight. A research program headed by Slaughter were able to expand the ideas of social foresight into a researched and tested body of theory with the tools needed for practicing futurists. Slaughter's works on the situation in Australia and New Zealand are discussed.
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SOCIAL.
This section presents several articles in various publications that provide an outlook of the demographic conditions of several countries. "The Empty Cradle: How Falling Birth-rates Threaten World Prosperity and What to Do About It," by P. Longman focuses on how some cases of declining birth-rates lead to economic crisis and religious fanaticism. "Urban Development: Innovative, Sustainable," by A. Novy and B. Leubolt examines social innovation in urban development.
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Towards 2030.
The article gives an insight of the governance for schools in New Zealand in the year 2020. It deals with the key factors that govern the essential operation of an educational system, which are said to often overlooked on the agenda of some school boards. It offers information on key trends in demographics, beliefs and values. It provides a prediction of the characteristics of the pupils and schools in 2020.
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TRANSITIONS TO SUSTAINABILITY.
This section presents several articles in various publications that provides information on transitions that can be done, aiming to ensure sustainability of energy resources. "Energy Sector in Transition Technologies and Regulatory Policies in Flux," by U. Jorgensen analyzes various policy regimes used in Denmark for their ability to support technological innovation. "Sustainable Energy: Choosing Among Options," by J.W. Testor reviews several energy technologies and resources.
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