Surviving 1000 Centuries: Can we do it, written by astrophysicists Roger Bonnet and L. Woltjer, which is translated by Wu Ji, Director of NSSC and other Chinese scientists, is greeted by the Chinese Readers with immense enthusiasm.
It is reviewed by Song Jian, Academician and former state councilor, Xu Guanhua, Academician and former Minister of Ministry of Science and Technology, Wang Liheng and Wang Xiji, Academicians from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation etc. The following is the book review by Song Jian which is published in Guangming Daily.
Struggle for Survival
(By Song Jian, former State Councilor)
Surviving 1000 Centuries: Can we do it, written by astrophysicists Roger Bonnet and L. Woltjer,is serious contemporary scientific works. Wu Ji and other scientists translated it into Chinese language and the publishing of the Chinese version will definitely benefit the Chinese readers.
Following the line of modern celestial physics and space science, the authors, providing valuable reference for the future, reviewed and analyzed the latest achievements in various disciplines of the 20th century, illuminated the problem humanity have to face during the progress of social development, distinguished fantasy, dream and reality using detailed scientific information, and pointed out the path of sustainable development for human being.
The authors remind the readers that there is indubitable evidence that the universe and the Mother Nature are the hotbed of life and the cradle of humanity, but not the perfect paradise. Humanity encountered and will constantly encounter disasters, hardships and risks in human being’s history of survival and progress. Human beings should not be blindly optimistic; rather they should be braced for the struggle with disaster. Modern science and technology is not omniscient and omnipotent, but it is the most reliable weapons for human’s survival and progress.
The Planet Earth is the only spaceship in the solar system to support human’s survival and development. "Moving to another Planet" is just a fantasy in the foreseeable future. Earth's resources are limited and control of population growth is priority for human in the 21st century.
The authors of the book believe that the world's population should be limited to 11 billion within the next 100,000 years, so Earth's resources could guarantee everyone a better life. According to the current scientific data, 11 billion will be close to the limits of the Earth's carrying capacity. The primary task for human in the 21st century is to deliver efficient management and tender care to the Earth, protect ecological environment and biodiversity, which is the basic premise to ensure the survival and development of human being.
Facing nearly a billion inhabitants, we cannot afford to leave the future and destiny of mankind to the free will of individual or small groups. Only the scientific decision-making, scientific management and scientific and technological progress could guarantee the safety of human being and the survivability of our future generations.
The authors appealed to every country across the globe to strengthen space science research and input, which is the crucial measure to monitor and Earth spaceship and ensure its safety. The advancement of space science and concerted effort is one of the reliable prerequisite to prevent human beings from natural disasters.
The authors spoke highly of the rapid development and progress of China in nearly half a century. “The successful limitation of the growth of the population is the precondition for creating and maintaining a livable society”, they said. In addition, “considerable achievements have been made by China in the development of agriculture, environmental protection, improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (excerpt from the Preface)". Undoubtedly, the authors’ sympathy and concern to the cause of China's development will make the Chinese readers feel warmly inspired.
This book is not science fiction, or a planning, not utopia, but rather a guide book for human to choose the way forward for humanity. I share the expectations of the translators of this book and I hope the politicians, government leaders, policy makers at all levels of various generations can read the book, which is conducive to the accumulation of new scientific knowledge, scientific planning of the developmental strategies and the enhancement of abilities for a country and its people to fight against the natural disasters and calamities imposed by human being.
(Translated and Supplied by Office of International Cooperation, NSSC)
