Said differently, national debt robs future generations of growth for the benefit of the current generation.

FORBES: How Debt Limits A Country's Options

Here, the principle should be that borrowing for purposes that will not directly benefit future generations, such as clean-up of debris, should be repaid by the current generation through higher taxes.

FORBES: Nikkei's Agenda for the Noda Government

So yes, the actions of this generation will make or break it when it comes to the ability of future generations to benefit from biodiversity and the irreplaceable services that ecosystems provide.

FORBES: The Future of Life On Earth: A Two-Part Discussion