I've read the Cosmos Letters by Drs. Ramel, Raven and Reeves two times. Their comments are thought-provoking. One cannot help but have a sense of doomed sadness when pondering about the future of the civilization. Let me explain. For us scientists, what can we do? And what can we accomplish? We can certainly raise awareness and speak out, like these three eminent scientists. We may even call for and organize some actions. (In this connection I hope Cosmos be more pro-active on the issue of harmonious coexistence between the earth and mankind.) However, at the end of the day, life will go on and we will all return to our laboratories and devote further our efforts to "understand the nature". This will enrich science and result in more and "better" technology, which in turn will contribute to the state of madness expounded by these scholars. I am not implying that we should shut up and give up. I just hope more thoughts and energy be devoted to finding effective ways to reach a "sustainable" harmonious coexistence between the earth and mankind.

Su Jilan Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration(China)

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