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CBS report: Earth's resources are running out.

#41
The Earth was deemed to be unable to sustain human life because of our expanding population in the 1600s.
Then again in the 1700s.
Then again in the 1800s.
Then again in the 1900s.
Then again in the 2000s.

The rate with which science progresses is so fast that I SERIOUSLY doubt we'll get to the point to where the Earth will be unable to sustain our human population for a VERY, VERY long time. A time so far in the future that I don't think my great, great, great, great, great gandchildren will see it.

This is assuming some nutjob somewhere with a nuke doesn't finally lose his nut.
 
#45
sloasdaylight said:
The Earth was deemed to be unable to sustain human life because of our expanding population in the 1600s.
Then again in the 1700s.
Then again in the 1800s.
Then again in the 1900s.
Then again in the 2000s.
Click to expand...

I've never heard that before, but regardless, the human population has not seen this kind of exponential growth until this past century.

humanpop.jpg


sloasdaylight said:
The rate with which science progresses is so fast that I SERIOUSLY doubt we'll get to the point to where the Earth will be unable to sustain our human population for a VERY, VERY long time. A time so far in the future that I don't think my great, great, great, great, great gandchildren will see it.

This is assuming some nutjob somewhere with a nuke doesn't finally lose his nut.
Click to expand...

We're talking about a planet with a finite amount of space and a finite amount of resources to account for a species that isn't bound by normal environmental pressures that naturally keep most populations in check. Considering our current rate of growth, I wouldn't be surprised if we start running into severe resource issues within the next century.
 
#48
jmattbassplaya said:
I've never heard that before, but regardless, the human population has not seen this kind of exponential growth until this past century.

humanpop.jpg




We're talking about a planet with a finite amount of space and a finite amount of resources to account for a species that isn't bound by normal environmental pressures that naturally keep most populations in check. Considering our current rate of growth, I wouldn't be surprised if we start running into severe resource issues within the next century.
Click to expand...

That graph is mind-blowing.
 
#50
Pilgrim said:
What part of this is surprising? Anyone who has paid attention has known this is the case for 20+ years.

The challenge is to change consumption and environment-altering actions in time to renew the balance. The challenge before THAT is to stop denying that we're not hurting a thing, and to stop claiming that we can consume everything indefinitely without running out of resources.

I don't have great answers, but at least I admit that the problem exists.

There are many people who would cheerfully doom the entire human race if they could get another 30 years of living in luxury while they do it.
Click to expand...

Yep
 
#51
The end is nigh.

Please spare me. Short of some nutcase blowing up nukes there is a law of physics called the conservation of mass.

Read up on it and you will feel better.
The water we drink today was dinosaur piss long ago. Technology is moving so fast that there is always something happening. In the days of the horse and buggy, people were warning that the whole world would be covered by many feet of horse manure.

As for not having children. In the world today, the "educated" are having fewer children, while the poor and uneducated are having the bulk of kids.
That does not bode well for humanity.
 
#52
Epidrake said:
The end is nigh.

Please spare me. Short of some nutcase blowing up nukes there is a law of physics called the conservation of mass.

Read up on it and you will feel better.
The water we drink today was dinosaur piss long ago. Technology is moving so fast that there is always something happening. In the days of the horse and buggy, people were warning that the whole world would be covered by many feet of horse manure.

As for not having children. In the world today, the "educated" are having fewer children, while the poor and uneducated are having the bulk of kids.
That does not bode well for humanity.
Click to expand...

Watch "Idiocracy", if you haven't yet. I agree.
 
#54
Epidrake said:
Short of some nutcase blowing up nukes there is a law of physics called the conservation of mass.
Click to expand...

That was my point as well, the atoms ain't going anywhere.

On the flip side, there's also the second law of thermodynamics to wrestle with. The mass may be staying around but it is changing to less "useful" configurations. (oil -> co2 + water for one example).

IMO, we're not screwed yet, but there's going to have to be some clever solutions found, especially if everyone on planet Earth is going to want the equivalent of a US/European middle-class lifestyle. I have enough faith in humanity to think we'll figure it out eventually, but it might get messy for a while.

'til then, save resources, brew your own beer.
 
#55
metron said:
No surprise. Here in CO, Kentucky bluegrass is not indigenous but there sure is a lot of it. People dump endless quantities of water into their lawns just so it looks nice. I think its freaking insane but people think i am the insane one when i complain about how much water is wasted and how foolish and shortsighted it is. Even during draughts lawn watering is only restricted and many dont care.

Its human nature to take what is wanted and more without much consideration beyond ones self. It will never change.
Click to expand...

Then combine that with expansive soils, and you get beaucoup property damage, and then they sue me.
 
#56
jmattbassplaya said:
I've never heard that before, but regardless, the human population has not seen this kind of exponential growth until this past century.
humanpop.jpg
Click to expand...

Hmmm ... the fifth billion took 12 years, while the sixth billion took 13. Let's hope it's a sigmoid curve. You know, one good asteroid strike, and we could be down to a couple hundred thousand. That could give us a chance to get it right.
 
#58
Anybody see the doco called 'Gasland' or another which I can't remember the name of, but Michael Ruppert was the subject........both independent doco's, not generated by mainstream media.....eye opening to say the least!
We can't count count on the Mayan calender to prematurely end our rampant consumerism any longer....so it seems we will have to endure the drawn out process of dying out by degrees.......did I mention that I'm an atheist and a realist..:D
Baby boomers (of which I am one) will, in my opinion, be the last generation to know what real freedom tasted like....from here on in, things are gonna get tough.
As people have pointed out, population growth and technological advancement are growing exponentialy....and the resources are finite......what does that tell you?

It tells me that we are just bigger, smarter, cockaroches.;)

I do what I can to make sure my own little piece of planet earth is ok, I give friendship and help freely, but when you consider the power of the forces which are against us, it's obvious that the looming demise of humanity is out of our control.
On that score I concurr with the person who posted 'have another beer'..:D
If you are part of a busy gigging band, giving people a good time.....believe me you are doing your bit to aleviate the pain of living in this f**ked up world for a lot of people. Take heart and rock on!
 

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