I think there is considerable food for thought in this article and that is why I'm giving labeling it as a "best post". Furthermore I think that Crooke is correct in seeing in the recent G20 meeting some very important implications for the future--changes to the world order.
...China is aligning the G20 against the American claimed prerogative to set the rules of trade (through the TIPP and the TPP), and the ‘rules’ of the financial ‘system’. It seems that the G20 went along with both these Chinese proposals — western ‘leadership’ was an eroded asset at this G20. President Xi therefore, has presented himself as a global leader who intends to take a lead, at least in economic matters, and not simply defer to the ‘indispensable nation’ to hold the floor to itself.For me, this article raises a primary issue about the emphasis on growth by China and Russia, and a secondary issue of gold backing for the Russian ruble because of gold mining's polluting effects on the environment. Regarding the first issue, I don't think that there is any other sound choice for them (and for the rest of the developing world) unless they are willing to submit to US Empire's rule. As long as we have ruling classes bullying other countries into submission, there can never be policies of restrained sustainable growth and degrowth.
Obviously economic growth aggravates the risk of further damage to the biosphere and causes climate destabilization. The rational course of action for humans would be policies of degrowth for all developed countries coinciding with environmentally sustainable growth for the rest of the world. But capitalist ruling classes are not rational--they are narcissistic, self-serving, and compulsively addicted to wealth and power. So, rational choices for human survival cannot be realized...that is, until we smash capitalist ruling classes and finally end all class rule.