I have to wonder if at some point we will really have to implement population control.
Whether you believe in global warming or global cooling you have to admit at some point we will over tax the planet. The planet has finite resources to give life to a limited number of animals (many of which have disappeared or will within the next 100 years).
We are the only animal that has the ability to not only kill off the other animals but also make a conscious effort not to.
We are the only animals that can see, globally, our impact and yet not really care to do anything about it.
At some point we will simply have too many people on the planet than the planet can support. Air, Fresh Water, Food.
Sure, technology plays a big part but I highly doubt it will stay ahead of the population explosion before the planet just gives up.
The planet will survive, in one shape or form. A large number of people will suffer some sort of “planet cleansing” at some point – most likely in the form of some disease similar to when the plague hit.
So, the question on my mind…will mankind ever evoke population control or will we keep expanding until something gives? I suspect it is the latter but certainly open to hearing other views.
Fine, I suppose this is where you look for some witty insights to my mind. A "bio" of sorts. Here is the deal... I ride motorcycles, smoke cigars, golf, kayak, fly, race my car through the mountains, write (a lot), and travel extensively. I am almost old enough not to care what other people think about me...almost. ~Godfadr
We are no where near close to world “over population”. The entire population could fit in the state of Arkansas. It’s those people who on the whole don’t like people who tout this anti-social concept.
Interesting point Ken. So, if I am reading your comment right, only those people that don’t like people feel that we are rapidly using the earth’s resources?
For example, Do you not feel there is any type of gas or food shortage on a global scale? Are we not destroying the rain forests? Or is that some sort of conspiracy?
I don’t understand Ken, are you saying we are not increasing in population or that we will never be able to out use the planets resources?
While I believe we can outstrip our planet’s natural resources, its amazing how when we think we have found all of “X” resources, we later on find yet another discovery.
As for world population….yeah, we’re not overpopulated, although I don’t know if I share Ken’s thoughts on who thinks this way.
As for food and gas shortages….this is partially a political thing, for we have plenty of gas, we just are rationing (not Carter-esque rationing mind you)it at high rates, and maintain huge supplies throughout the world. Food itself, is partially due to politics that lead to wierd rates of food distribution, especially in certain countries in Africa and Asia, where governments or political strongarms are controlling food supply distribution (see Myanmar controversies, tribal warfare in Somalia in the 90s). We produce more food products per person than ever before in history, and yet:
“Since the improvement of cookery, mankind, in general, consumes twice what nature requires.”
—Benjamin Franklin
What’s funny is that it is probably the people bemoaning an “overpopulation” of the world who also scream about saving lives and increasing longevity.
I don’t think we are over-populated right now, however, we could be in the future (waaaay in the future) IF we insist on trying to prevent death. In the U.S. alone over 3 million babies are born annually. Far fewer die annually. IF you do the math, over-population might indeed be a problem in a few hundred years.
Personally, I wish they’d all make up their minds. On this and everything else, I’m dizzy trying to make sense of it….LOL
but SWF, remember the trend will change if we dont start increasing our babular output. The big generation has still to hit the sying process and make up a huge segment of our population….so IF we overpopulate, as you say, it will be WAY out into the future….we should have a few ice ages by then, or burn up our globe prior to that event happening, at least if Al Gore has anything to say about it.
Global overpopulation is certainly something to think about, regardless. Even if it doesn’t pose a giant threat right now, it may in the future.
To swfreedomlover, who wrote “What’s funny is that it is probably the people bemoaning an “overpopulation” of the world who also scream about saving lives and increasing longevity,” I would generally agree that they probably are, except they aren’t wrong in doing so. You’re assuming that the only way to stop overpopulation is to allow/force individuals to die off earlier. Keep in mind we have humane methods such as family planning. Educating people on a global perspective is probably our best bet, not killing off the population.
As for those of you who seem to think that it’s really not a problem, take into account the fact that over the past sixty years, we have quadrupled our population. That isn’t a happy thing. Luckily for humanity’s ignorant counterparts, we find the population trends pointing toward a leveling out and somewhat of a decrease. Although we seem to have escaped this time, the facts are hardly laughable.