by trespam » Sat 30 Oct 2004, 11:26:36
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BastardSquad', '
') I see no reason to promote unrealistic optomism,you can't candy coat this one,there no point in it.
BTW,if you really believe we can vote our way out of this one you're an idiot.
We can't vote our way out of this one. Though a start is to remove people who think "conservation is a personal virtue" and to replace them with people who might think otherwise. In the present election, we have two rich guys, one whose wife flies around in a personal jet and the other whose VP thinks conservation is for wimps. Therefore it's not clear either candidate understands or is willing to take the initiative.
As far as optimism: Look at it this way. This year, 129 million people will be born and 56 million die, producing an excess of 73 million. So let's say that between now and the end of the century, we must get the world population down from 6500 million to somewhere around 1950 values of 2500 million. That requires a decrease of 4000 million over 95 years. That's 42 million deaths per year net. Right now we're increasing by 72 million pe ryear. Therefore the world just has to increase the number of deaths by 114 million, meaning a total number of deaths of 168 million per year.
SO were talking about 52 million deaths per year to 168 million. A 300% increase. We can handle it. Humans are always innovative, particularly when it comes to killing one another or ensuring that the survival rate for children drops in certain regions.
Seriously though: I think a strong argument can be made that the peak will produce some major economic and social problems as the world transitions from growth to decline, and then we could very well see a lot of muddle, along with the death rates increasing as described above.
I agree it's not a pretty picture, but let's face it: 52 million people are dying this year, many of them who could probably live quite a few more years if we provided them with additional medical care or a safer environment. We can't. And our ability to prolong human life in many places is going to decrease. Until we get our numers in line with a sustainable energy source. And guestimates say that is somewhere in the 2 billion range. Hence my 2500 million number above,