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  1. #1
    ian2 is offline Member
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    Default non-sustainable course

    Non-sustainable course?

    In the following paragraph, what does the "non-sustainable" mean? In many cases, "sustainable" means it can be continued, like we say, sustainable development. But the word "sustainable" can also mean "supportable". If we talk about the course, then "cannot continue the course" makes the sense, but the content of the article tells us that human beings cannot support this kind of progress. Which is the right interpretation, to be continued, or to be supported? Thanks.

    "At the start of the 21st century, humankind finds itself on a non-sustainable course – the course that, unless it is changed, could lead to grand scale catastrophes. At the same time, we are unlocking formidable new capabilities that lead to more exciting lives and glorious civilizations. This could be either humanities last century or the century that sets the world, on a course toward a spectacular future."

  2. #2
    Horsa is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: non-sustainable course

    It means that humanity can't continue along it's current path (course means path or direction here) because it leads to disaster. That disaster could be ecological in nature or some other catastrophe such as nuclear war or more likely a combination of catastrophes. Exactly what form the catastrophes may take is not clear from this extract.

  3. #3
    Anglika is offline No Longer With Us
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    Default Re: non-sustainable course

    Quote Originally Posted by Horsa View Post
    It means that humanity can't continue along its current path (course means path or direction here) because it leads to disaster. That disaster could be ecological in nature or some other catastrophe such as nuclear war or more likely a combination of catastrophes. Exactly what form the catastrophes may take is not clear from this extract.
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