1. The likely-to-be-delayed second national economic conference should be combined with the National Conference on Sustainable Development scheduled for April next year. The theme of this combined conference would be coming to a consensus on how the source (i.e., businesses and consumption) of what we don't like (pollution) prevents Taiwanese from achieving or obtaining that which we do want (the indicators of happiness, for example, things, status, control).

2. Human population issues are without doubt the leading issue to be addressed at a national conference on the environment. We all love children, but do we understand the implications of having so many in so small a place? There needs to be full debate on the effect of humans on the rest of the environment, the effects of the Taiwanese peoples' massive and still growing footprint, aging and the effects on the economy. Please be sure that we do not let this be confused with certain economic "indicators" such as GDP, or "competitiveness", but on the economy as a whole.

3. Gross Happiness Index. A discussion of this topic might finally enable people to begin coming to a consensus on what is important. Maybe we will find out that yes, most everyone in Taiwan wants more highways, steel plants, and cement factories and so on, and they believe these and the accompanying environmental damage are either desirable or at least inevitable. We should however confront this issue. Developing and using a gross happiness index would enable us to determine "how bad is it" and focus on what many people marginalize by characterizing the problem as simply a conflict between economic environmental concerns. (see e.g., http://www.grossinternationalhappiness.org/

If the past is any indication, unless we take steps to bring together the promoters of economic development (relevant government agencies, businesses and trade associations) with persons who place environmental concerns above all others (individuals and environmental groups) a national conference on the environment is unlikely to achieve very much. There may be well intentioned resolutions and programs that come out of the conference, however these will likely be ignored or will be impossible to implement because we will have left out the most important factor in the "environmental equation."