Since the end of WW II, the American lifestyle has been distinguished by the idea that more is better.  Families are smaller, but houses are twice as big.  The road system is vastly improved, but consumers are driving off road vehicles with the capability of crossing the outback.

The average human needs about 2000 calories per day, but a single Whopper Value Meal with large fries and a large drink has 1375 calories.  And Costco is now selling 80-inch televisions.

For seventy years, the mantra for Americans has been that more is better. More space, more things, more horsepower, more calories, more choices and more debt.  The consequence of three generations of increased accumulation and consumption is a federal debt approaching $16 trillion, 25 million diabetics, student loans topping $1 trillion, a decaying infrastructure, lengthier commutes and a widespread fear that America's best days are behind her.

As depressing as all of this sounds, all hope is not lost.  At their core, Americans are incredibly resilient and uniquely inventive. The yearning for a richer life isn't about to end, but the definition of "rich" is undergoing a dramatic makeover. The push for less personal and government debt is an encouraging sign.  Automobiles are becoming amazingly efficient, and a generation from now 50+ MPG vehicles will be common.  Digital technology is transforming the workplace by making it possible for many employees to work from home or at remote offices where traffic is less of a problem.  And there are signs that the diabetes/obesity tsunami may have crested.

The "Age of More" may not be over yet, but it is fading fast.  And a new "Age of Balance" is emerging.

 

Levels of deadly pollutants up to 40 times the recommended exposure limit in Beijing and other cities have struck fear into parents and led them to take steps that are radically altering the nature of urban life for their children. As conditions worsen, parents are taking extreme measures, continue reading here

Throughout the Andes, glaciers are now melting so rapidly that scientists have grown deeply concerned about water supplies for the people living there. Glacial meltwater is essential for helping Andean communities get through the dry season. Read more from the New York Times here

2012 will break a record set in 1998. According to this USA Today article, climate center data shows that 7 of the top 10 warmest years in U.S. history have occurred since 1998; Data from the environmental group Climate Central reports that average annual temperatures have been rising in every state since 1970, which they attribute to man-made global warming.

Wild pigs are having an effect on the environment and they are making there way closer to DC. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, they cause about $1.5 billion in damage in the United States each year. Today, the wild pigs that are closest to the District are living around Catlett, about 10 miles southwest of Manassas, according to Mike Dye, a biologist for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. In five to 10 years, the species could make its debut inside the Beltway, he says. Continue reading at the Washington Post. 

According to this New York Times Article, the city of Guangzhou, China's third largest city and one of its biggest auto manufacturing centers introduced license plate auctions and lotteries recently. Can you imagine if Detroit or Los Angeles restricted car usage?