The throwaway economy that has been evolving over the last half-century is an aberration, now itself headed for the junk heap of history.

The 20th century was the time when the world turned to use of fossil fuels and the 21st century will be the century of the renewables.

Humanity's greatest challenge may soon be just making it to the next harvest.

The throwaway economy that has been evolving over the last half-century is an aberration, now itself headed for the junk heap of history.

We can build an economy that does not destroy its natural support systems, a global community where the basic needs of all the Earth's people are satisfied, and a world that will allow us to think of ourselves as civilized. This is entirely doable.

The foundation is being laid for the emergence of both wind and solar cells as cornerstones of the new energy economy. World wind generating capacity grew from 7,600 megawatts in 1997 to 9,600 in 1998, an expansion of 26 percent. At a national level, Germany led the way, adding 790 megawatts of capacity, followed by Spain with 380 megawatts, and the United States with 226 megawatts. In the past, U.S. wind generating capacity was concentrated in California, but in 1998, wind farms began generating electricity in Minnesota, Oregon, and Wyoming, broadening the new industry's geographical base.

Our numbers expand, but Earth's natural systems do not.