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World Population
- Thread starter Aegle
- Start date
There is no breaking point for the whole world.
That is because way before we would have reached that point, the places where these birth explosions take place would already have reached their own local breaking point.
Water scarcity is a local issue. So is the availability of medicine and other goods.
the countries that have to deal with these things cannot afford modern water purification techniques to make seawater drinkable. They rely solely on local rivers for their water. These rivers will get more and more poluted, and they run dry because of the irrigation and sanitation needed as well as dinking water.
You see this problem even in the USA with rivers like the colorado. In third world countries, where you can expect population to double, this will only be much worse.
That is because way before we would have reached that point, the places where these birth explosions take place would already have reached their own local breaking point.
Water scarcity is a local issue. So is the availability of medicine and other goods.
the countries that have to deal with these things cannot afford modern water purification techniques to make seawater drinkable. They rely solely on local rivers for their water. These rivers will get more and more poluted, and they run dry because of the irrigation and sanitation needed as well as dinking water.
You see this problem even in the USA with rivers like the colorado. In third world countries, where you can expect population to double, this will only be much worse.
ibeing897
Rising Star
polytrip said:
Polytrip you're bang on with this one... I totally agree... I made the point before about natural slowdown of population...and I'd go back to the point of the real question.. I can't help but think this is really a question of how much resources should one person consume, more people less to consume.... I personally believe to procreate is a natural impereritive and that progress is inveitable and we must continue to evolve, it's a responsibility to all the creatures that came before us... now part of surviving is to manage our ecosystem, we need to look after our planet... our efficiency could be increased so much it almost makes you want to scream and yes, in the long run, why not other planets? that would be far out if humans didn't already have space technology.
I also believe humans should live much more modestly given the global population, it's not cool for people to live in luxury on one side of the world, and poverty on the other... it should be more averaged...and we could all live better with clean energy, technology and efficient use of resources... but wow, supposedly thats socialism.
lbeing789 said:
lbeing789
Nope no blanket disagreement here, i disagree with your statement that we are not at breaking point. I am not referring to space i am referring to resources. Actually, I am a minimalist by heart and i feel the less material things we have in our lives the better off we are. I am greatly disappointed that you are judging me at all, I have a very real concept of over population as i have traveled to India which is one of the best examples that one can have when it comes to over population.
Much Peace
ohayoco said:
Ohayoco
Exactly...
Much Peace
ibeing897
Rising Star
Aegle said:
I saw the title of the thread "world population" and assumed we were talking about the population, not resources.... so are we at breaking point with resources? sure, depends which resources of course, I mean, we've got no oil, air or clean water, but we've got tonnes of brilliant people, loads of information.... it goes back to my question, what constitutes breaking point? I can't have a proper discussion without knowing what we're actually talking about... but ok, I appreciate that you've been to India and the minimal approach, so do you think if everyone took a minimal approach we'd still be at breaking point?
ibeing897
Rising Star
Aegle said:
I don't think anyone said anything about space for people as in a zone around your person, how silly would that be? I assume when anyone says this they are obviously referring to food, clothing, warmth and shelter, the space available to people is talking about the basic needs of a human. That goes without saying. I think there is plenty of space for human's needs to be met, so I don't think we're at breaking point with regards to space.
I think the world could handle about 10 billions people with adequate food and water and some basic electricity (thats not really based on anything I just think we haven't reached saturation point yet). I am not too concerned about the number we have now.
However what does concern me is how foolishly we manage our resources and how certain areas are overpopulating leaving entire populations pissed off desperate and hungry. We do such stupid things. I mean fish are harvested in the north sea shipped to a plant in china to be cut up then shipped to a plant in south america to be packaged and then shipped back to the grocery store in europe back where it started. Because energy is so cheap thats actually possible. But it won't last. For two reasons. Energy will get more expensive. Labor will get more expensive.
Theres two main issues. The developed world consumes too much and wastes too much. The developing world breeds to much and doesn't produce enough for itself. I think as countries develop they breed less. Its a well known trend. You don't need draconian population control or forced sterilization and anyone who thinks you do is paranoid. Education and development are key to population control. The problem is once a nation develops it can consume a lot. Thats a cultural issue. People need to stop caring so much about having 5 cars and a fine trimmed lawn and focus on whats important in life. How that will change? I think its already changing. Maybe I am being optimistic but ten years ago when I was raving about environmental issues no one knew what I was talking about. Now everyone knows at least somewhat.
However what does concern me is how foolishly we manage our resources and how certain areas are overpopulating leaving entire populations pissed off desperate and hungry. We do such stupid things. I mean fish are harvested in the north sea shipped to a plant in china to be cut up then shipped to a plant in south america to be packaged and then shipped back to the grocery store in europe back where it started. Because energy is so cheap thats actually possible. But it won't last. For two reasons. Energy will get more expensive. Labor will get more expensive.
Theres two main issues. The developed world consumes too much and wastes too much. The developing world breeds to much and doesn't produce enough for itself. I think as countries develop they breed less. Its a well known trend. You don't need draconian population control or forced sterilization and anyone who thinks you do is paranoid. Education and development are key to population control. The problem is once a nation develops it can consume a lot. Thats a cultural issue. People need to stop caring so much about having 5 cars and a fine trimmed lawn and focus on whats important in life. How that will change? I think its already changing. Maybe I am being optimistic but ten years ago when I was raving about environmental issues no one knew what I was talking about. Now everyone knows at least somewhat.