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over population
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over population |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan 
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I remember a few decades ago over population was a big issue. Now, as far as I know, the world’s population has increased to 6 billion, (it is said that there were more human beings living on the planet in the 20th century than in all of the previous ten thousand years combined), with 9 billion expected by the middle of this new century, (though in countries like Italy and Spain the population is actually decreasing). Yet I hear little open concern. Why is that? John http://www.os-connect.com/pop/p2a.asp?whichpage=1&pagesize=20&sort=2050 |
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| © Copyright 2004 John Pawlik - All Rights Reserved | |||
Marshalzu  
since 2001-02-15
Posts 2681Lurking |
The population can keep expanding indefinitely because history shows that man will continually find new ways too support new population levels, if this doesnt happen then we can expect Malthusian population checks either way it's no big deal. |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Are you kidding? Yes, we can survive it. But don't pretend it's not a problem. |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
Nature/man always find a way of balancing levels out. If not, there are always things like fictitious wars to help wipe out existing and future lines. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Of course it's still a concern. Do you read about birth control/abortion issues? Do you read about famine and the global fight for jobs and resources? Do you read about the efforts hundreds are putting forth to further sustainable agriculture? Most educated people already accept as a given that we have a serious overpopulation problem on this planet, and have moved forward into the corrective/amelioration phases of the problem. |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
I say we take a hint and follow the lemmings lead |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
Midnitesun, “corrective/amelioration phases of the problem” What do you think of China’s enforced one child phase? John |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
John, who uses most of the world's resources? and no, the answer IS NOT lemmings LOL at Raphie's reply [This message has been edited by Midnitesun (10-29-2004 10:45 PM).] |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
Kacy, how about if we apply the lemming theory to Washington DC? Sounds better now doesn't it..grins |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
lemons or lemmings? LOL |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
at least lemons are useful, politicians? you squeeze a lemon and you can make juice, squeeze a politician...well actually, i suppose you can plant crops with what comes out.. |
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Marshalzu
since 2001-02-15
Posts 2681Lurking |
I dont see how this is such a big deal, humanity is going to survive one way or another and thats what counts really. |
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Krawdad Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597 |
"I dont see how this is such a big deal, humanity is going to survive one way or another and thats what counts really.," Really? Says you. Says you in a statement of blind faith. I'd like to think that you are just putting us on, but somehow I suspect that you believe this. Amazing. "Survive". Is that all? And what would be the point? Oh, buy the way, have you heard about Bangladesh? |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4038205.stm |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
Interesting link, Huan, and it got me thinking about something which happens here, locally. Yuma produces, against all odds, tons of vegetables and fruits, and is the lettuce capital of the United States, if not the world. However, not one single produce item is sold locally, except by private farmers. Private farmers only make up roughly 5%, if even that, of the total agricultural economy. Everything else is grown here, then shipped elsewhere for distribution and selling. End result? Higher prices for produce items, shortages, and non availability, even though I might see a fully loaded produce truck rolling towards California with the same item grown locally not in the local stores. What got me thinking all that was the section in that article about irrigation projects which could benefit sub-Sahara Africa, but which currently aren't in place. The only reason Yuma can produce anything except sand is due to the extensive irrigation and canal network, started in the Teens and basically finished during the early 50's. There is enough food to feed everyone. Just gotta stop paying farmers not to grow something, and urge them to diversify their crops. Add to that education on crop rotation to oversea farmers and a better global distribution network and there should be enough for all, with extra for storage. Howsoever, that raises another question. Historically, when people are fed, they make babies. Lots of babies. Even if conditions have improved to the point of low infant mortality/morbidity. It took a couple of generations for most Americans to get to grips with that, but there are those who just don't care. A relation of mine has 9 or so children, I think. It's been awhile since I last saw them. At that time, they had 6 and were planning more. |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
Alicat, But why so many kids in the U.S.? Unless you’re really well off, it’s bound to impact on the quality of life. Besides something’s not right here. A few years ago, I heard that the average family unit in the United States had less than two, (1.9?) children. Here’s another oddity, again from a few years ago, it was estimated that as much as 7% of all marriages in the United States have never been consummated. It can’t all be immigration. As to the world’s population, you’re never going to convince the majority to stop having kids. So what are you going to do? |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
With the non-consummation, I'd hazard that some were for tax breaks, others annulled, and some for immigration loopholes. Still others may have experienced tragedy prior to consummation. The reasons may never be known, since percentages rarely give those. Simply numbers and statistics. |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
My comment regarding immigration had to do with the population increase in the United States despite the 1.9 children average and the 7% non-consummation estimate. As to the marriages that haven’t been consummated, a couple of the reasons given in the article were that those marriages were essentially for companionship and/or there was some sort of dysfunction that inhibited one or both partners. As to the world’s population increase, what is the moral obligation to aid and abet, (or mitigate the consequences of), personal reproduction choices on the part of a human population that in total bring that human population to peril, and at what price to the world’s environment, other species, etc.? |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
Moot. You'll never get a global concensus due to one thing: religion. Irregardless of the sect or structure, those who hold the line 'go forth and multiply' see that as a Holy Mandate. So they go forth and multiply. Catholics, Mormons, Muslims, Protestants: those who believe those words do such. |
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