Sustainability

Posted by: Don Atkinson on 05 January 2011

Sustainability

OK, we've been here before, as Jim will no doubt remind us.

BBC news tonight reported significant rises in the cost of food, cotton, oil and other raw materials. China, India and Brazil were specifically mentioned as new, emergent consumers seeking a larger share of limited supplies, made worse by loss of crops in Australia, Pakistan and Russia.

Is it really a serious problem?

If so, what do we do?

Cheers

Don
Posted on: 11 January 2011 by Don Atkinson
quote:
Yes, he did Don (and I know he did). I didn't mean that sentence as a criticism of Dawkins. I was just being pedantic, probably
quote]

I was simply reinforcing what you had said.

[quote]Regarding the rest of your post.............there's a lot more to life than mere survival, right?).


Agreed, which is why, earlier in this thread, I quoted my two premises - sustainability and happiness for all (*).

(*) Just watched the news. Seems like some Diamond geezers are happy to settle for sustainability and happiness for themselves and a few close fellows. Seems like we have a looonnnngg way to go.

Cheers

Don
Posted on: 12 January 2011 by Don Atkinson
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers today published their Report "One Planet, Too Many People".

By 2100, experts predict the global human population will reach about 9.5 billion. Meeting the needs and demands of these people will provide a significant challenge to governments and society at large.

Generally the reoprts suggests engineers need to start NOW to meet these needs to avoid hunger, thirst and conflict.

It states that five key issues need to be catered for. Energy, water, food, urbanisation and finance. It suggests that population control (reduction) is unlikely to be achievd and it also states we shouldn't wait (or hope) for new technology to be developed. It sets out proposal for meeting the needs of the increased population using existing ingenuity.

Might be worth a quick read.

www.imeche.org/knowledge/theme...vironment/Population

Cheers

Don
Posted on: 12 January 2011 by George Fredrik
Dear Don,

I was hoping you would link to this report, which is utterly sensible in my view.

I heard a sumary of it on "Today," this morning on Radio Four, but did not know where to look so as to post the link ...

ATB from George
Posted on: 12 January 2011 by CFMF
Too bad the Institution of Mechanical Engineers didn't recognize the problem of peak oil until now. According to the International Energy Agency's latest World Energy Outlook (Nov 2010), conventional crude oil peaked in production in 2006. No doubt this will soon wreak havoc with our industrialized economies and our financial systems. These problems will parlay into reduced food aid for the third world, which will eventually lead to widespread famine. We should have started the transition to sustainable energy 10-12 years ago.
I read "9.5 billion people in 2100" and I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Best,
BBM