Remember that episode in Star Trek: TNG (Force of Nature) where it was discovered that warp travel had negative environmental effects on the fabric of space? It was in the seventh season of ST: TNG but nobody ever picked this up again in the various incarnations of Star Trek. Now, I know that ST:TNG is supposed to be years ahead of the re-booted alternate reality (who knows, maybe the Next Generation wont even happen now!) but it surprises me that this was an issue that was never really capitalized on, given the importance of environmental concerns in todays society. Its a major dilemma as well. In order to keep the Federation together, ships have to be able to travel and maintain communication with the far sectors of its territory. But if travelling at warp speed damages the very nature of the universe, at what cost? If travel is curtailed, will empires shrink? Will privateers form their own space forces now that the larger powers are unwilling or unable to defend them? There are so many implications that hinge on this and moreover, the issue of whether to ignore this damage and continue as normal until the universe holds out or not could be a major story dilemma to explore in the new film. Maybe and maybe this might not have a lot of play, but it is certainly a dilemma that has been abandoned and could be considered fair play in the re-booted universe.