World forest loss slows as China plants trees on a grand scale

The world's net rate of forest loss has slowed markedly in the last decade, with less logging in the Amazon and China planting trees on a grand scale.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8586701.stm

According to Jia Zhibang, director of the State Forestry Administration, 47.11 billion trees have been planted across the country, the cumulate reserve area of man-made forests has topped 53 million hectares, the forest coverage rate has soared from 12 percent in the early 1980s to 18.21 percent today [with a target of 25% for 2020], and great progress has been made in the protection of wildlife and wetlands, as well as in the control of desertification.

http://chinaabc.showchina.org/chinaabc_en/magazine/recommendations/200704/t112004.htm

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Happiness versus pleasure

One can see this distinction in the wider society too - East vs. West; cultures with different foundations - long term (family, infrastructure, community, the arts) versus short term (hype, sex, gossip, war). Mature versus immature. We versus me. The immature mind thinks 'me'; the mature mind understands that life is really about 'we'. Maturity is when one grows beyond the narcissism phase *. 'I' am just a small part of a bigger 'I' - humanity. With Dr. Robert Lustig ... One is controlled when one believes what one has been told (sold). Freedom is removing these mind chains and seeing reality. ----- * (footnote) At BB, we think that narcissism is a development phase that most transition out of; but some stay there and it can become exaggerated. The traditional views might also be true; likely, there is an interplay involved. ----- ----- Aside #1 : Q : Why does BB have so much content about health - nutrition and mental well-being ? A : Because it is fundamental to everything else; one cannot see the beauty of life if one's mind is mixed up; one cannot live life to the full if one is ill. ----- ----- Aside #2 : Confucius : One can grow from everybody one meets. On life's journey, one will meet wise people - learn from them; one will also meet foolish people - look deep within to see if one also has these follies.