Originally posted by rwingettMetals are always recyclable, although it may be expensive to do so.
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20120618-global-resources-stock-check
http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/wwfuture/original/images/live/p0/0t/z1/p00tz1n3.jpg
Fossil fuels already have plenty of alternatives, though again they may be more expensive.
I don't see an issue in terms of sustainability.
Originally posted by KazetNagorraHypothetically we could do any number of things. Although the corrupting influence of the profit motive probably means we won't. Your vaunted technology will not save you as long as you maintain a culture of conspicuous consumption.
Metals are always recyclable, although it may be expensive to do so.
Fossil fuels already have plenty of alternatives, though again they may be more expensive.
I don't see an issue in terms of sustainability.
Originally posted by Metal BrainYes, they will promote gay sex, abortion, and insist that everyone have free rubbers. Then they will probably take the route of China and demand that you only have one child.....if that.
I pasted a couple of links I thought were interesting. The first claims that socialism is the key to limiting population growth instead of environmentalism. Many 1st world countries don't have much population growth. Poverty is often blamed for high fertility rates.
http://pinkofreezone.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/how-to-stop-population-growth/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/may/06/world-population-country-un
Originally posted by rwingettHow about improving production of life's necessities?
10 billion. Like that'll be a victory. Nearly 50% more people than we have now. And even if population growth does stabilize, it won't mean anything if consumption rates keep rising. We'll have to bring both under control. But that's not too likely.
Originally posted by rwingettThe corrupting profit motive is what generates what we have now, compared to what we used to have when there were far fewer people.
Hypothetically we could do any number of things. Although the corrupting influence of the profit motive probably means we won't. Your vaunted technology will not save you as long as you maintain a culture of conspicuous consumption.
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I guess the question is what will happen to the world population following hupperts oil peak. Problem is, resources like oil are subject to hupperts peak. I once read that more than half of all copper that was in the ground is now above ground, in human made things. My understanding is that most crops are dependent on the use of fertilizer, which is a downstream product of oil. So after peak oil, it will be more and more expensive to fertilize crops. And moving (in the kinetic sense) the enormous mass (in the physical sense) of things we move, food being one of those things, through the use of oil based products (i.e. gas), will also become more and more expensive. So one could argue that population will decline as we run out of oil.
Originally posted by nunupalIt will become more expensive, yes. But not impossible - all of the things you mention have renewable alternatives (and copper can be recycled). It seems highly unlikely that people will starve because of these reasons, although it will restrict economic growth.
I guess the question is what will happen to the world population following hupperts oil peak. Problem is, resources like oil are subject to hupperts peak. I once read that more than half of all copper that was in the ground is now above ground, in human made things. My understanding is that most crops are dependent on the use of fertilizer, which is a downst ...[text shortened]... e more and more expensive. So one could argue that population will decline as we run out of oil.
Originally posted by KazetNagorraMarkets will determine how the future goes forward. Before humans had a word for markets, they existed, and often determined the course of the future. This will not end now. Things that become more expensive will be used less.
It will become more expensive, yes. But not impossible - all of the things you mention have renewable alternatives (and copper can be recycled). It seems highly unlikely that people will starve because of these reasons, although it will restrict economic growth.
Does anyone still remember that manure used to be the primary fertilizer??