The solution capabilities of humankind are boundless, but only if the thoughts of all humans can be released.

Unfortunately, humankind has not as yet put in place the needed global system whereby this can happen for its very survival. Universities and advanced corporate research centres try to create the new and vital saviour technologies of the future, but where they fail miserably is the production of the necessary end results that could eventually save mankind from extinction in this very century.

The reason – both do not comprehend what the history of science and technology tells us: up to 80 per cent of all the technologies that have made the modern world what it is today, emanated at their base from the minds of totally ‘independent’ inventors, not from universities or advanced centres of research.

This truism is overlooked time and time again due to vested interests that will eventually despatch humankind to oblivion. What is therefore needed urgently before it is too late is to connect globally with the minds of all people and not just the few who produce little in the final analysis.

Indeed, if humans do not create a globally interlinked system of people’s research centres/incubators, there is very little chance of humanity continuing, as we shall never discover the sciences or technologies that we desperately need for our very survival.

For the majority of people in high places still believe that the present system will do this, but scarce minerals and spent ‘elements’ will eventually render this present thinking redundant.

In this respect, the so-called present sustainable energy systems, for example wind, water and solar generators, are simply not sustainable. Indeed, for ‘real sustainability’ to be achieved in the long-term, we have to find new technologies that are ‘truly sustainable’, not just for a few decades, like those we are constructing today, which will someday soon become obsolete.

The reason for this is that the loss of these scarce elements and finite resources will render maintenance an impossibility for these energy systems – for there will not be the sufficient material to maintain or produce more (derived from ‘New Scientist’ analysis in 2007). That is the sad fact and the point on which our present thinking is mortally flawed. For without these scarce resources we cannot mend the present so-called saviour technologies when they break down and therefore we shall not be able to save humankind in the long-term. Considering this overriding truism we have no alternative, if we are sane people, but to put in place this globally interlinked system of people’s discovery centres for our long-term survival. There is no other solution: all humans have to be a part, not just the select few.

Dr David Hill

Executive Director

World Innovation Foundation Charity

Switzerland