Overpopulation

[Technosoul]

What do you think? Are our environments endangered because of an overpopulation problem in the human race?

[tman_ndsu08]

I think it is a problem in some places.

However, I like to agree with the economist point of view, and not the biological point of view.


Humans will simply demand that something be done to fix any such problems that over population creates. If those problems become life threatening, a solution will be found.

Maybe a drastic solution (moving to another planet?), but there will be one found, simply by the laws of supply and demand.

[RickSp]

Malthus was Chicken Little.

Overpopulation is a problem but is being managed, in some regions better than others.

[castille]

I agree, humans have always found a way to solve problems, and overpopulation is just another obstacle we have to overcome.

Technically, our earth is NOT overpopulated. 90% of the land masses are not populated with people. Even in China, the western half has barely any people at all. Russia's eastern territories are barren. Australia...well, don't even go there.

Most lands are unpopulated because simply, they lack fertile soil or resources. As a result, there are not enough jobs. Which means people won't move there.

But we're already solving it. The rise of information industries and global communications means you could work as a computer consultant in Siberia. Improved farming means you could grow food in the Sahara. Etc.

[italiangm]

Quote by: Technosoul What do you think? Are our environments endangered because of an overpopulation problem in the human race?

Not globally. But locally, yes. There are areas of the world where population size has exceeded environmental capabilities.

[RVonse]

Quote by: Technosoul What do you think? Are our environments endangered because of an overpopulation problem in the human race?

When you hear about all the differenct species of life on this planet that have recently become extinct or are nearing extinction, it seems incredible to me that anyone can not seriously believe there is a huge problem with this. Yet the Roman Catholic church still does not believe in birth control! I think that the human race is a textbook example of a population that has gone out of control on this planet. We will probably go on and on until nothing else can survive on earth and then finally we will not be able to survive our own stupidity. No, I'm not a bleeding heart environmental wacko. And no, I could care less about whether the spotted owl survives or not. But yes, it greatly concerns me that all of the oxygen producing trees of this planet are getting whacked down right now and we are producing unprecedented levels of fossil fuel burning into the atmosphere. How are mammels going to breath this kind of air to survive?

The only controls to our population I can see right now is war and AIDs. And its not near enough to keep us under control.

[Technosoul]

Quote by: castille I agree, humans have always found a way to solve problems, and overpopulation is just another obstacle we have to overcome. Technically, our earth is NOT overpopulated. 90% of the land masses are not populated with people. Even in China, the western half has barely any people at all. Russia's eastern territories are barren. Australia...well, don't even go there. Most lands are unpopulated because simply, they lack fertile soil or resources. As a result, there are not enough jobs. Which means people won't move there. But we're already solving it. The rise of information industries and global communications means you could work as a computer consultant in Siberia. Improved farming means you could grow food in the Sahara. Etc.

Yes, but is that NOT the very PROBLEM that I was talking about - the more the population moves in our wilderness areas ( no matter how hash the landscape is ) the more we will disrupt and ruin those (now natural) environments. Again - we are only thinking in terms of the selfish needs for human beings - without taking into account how our progressive and agressive population is effecting the balance of nature on our globe.

[liverleef]

Without question some countries are seriously overpopulated. Here in the states I doubt we have a seriousl overpopulation problem. I recently took a job that is 70 percent travel. One thing I noticed quickly is just how unpopulated much of America is. Flying over the country I see some urban areas but mostly I see forests and wide open farmland. Also driving to sites I'm amazed at how much land is unpopulated. Today I drove for what seems like forever through remote parts of Washington state. I was really glad to see people when I finally got to a decent sized town.

[castille]

Quote by: Technosoul Yes, but is that NOT the very PROBLEM that I was talking about - the more the population moves in our wilderness areas ( no matter how hash the landscape is ) the more we will disrupt and ruin those (now natural) environments.

Well considering the big human cities barely inhabit less than 5% of the land mass, I don't think that will be a problem.

[Technosoul]

Quote by: RVonse When you hear about all the differenct species of life on this planet that have recently become extinct or are nearing extinction, it seems incredible to me that anyone can not seriously believe there is a huge problem with this. Yet the Roman Catholic church still does not believe in birth control! I think that the human race is a textbook example of a population that has gone out of control on this planet. We will probably go on and on until nothing else can survive on earth and then finally we will not be able to survive our own stupidity. No, I'm not a bleeding heart environmental wacko. And no, I could care less about whether the spotted owl survives or not. But yes, it greatly concerns me that all of the oxygen producing trees of this planet are getting whacked down right now and we are producing unprecedented levels of fossil fuel burning into the atmosphere. How are mammels going to breath this kind of air to survive? The only controls to our population I can see right now is war and AIDs. And its not near enough to keep us under control.

Hey, you can add gay marrages to the list with war and AIDs - they are non-reproductive and do not add to the population growth.

[Technosoul]

Quote by: liverleef Without question some countries are seriously overpopulated. Here in the states I doubt we have a seriousl overpopulation problem. I recently took a job that is 70 percent travel. One thing I noticed quickly is just how unpopulated much of America is. Flying over the country I see some urban areas but mostly I see forests and wide open farmland. Also driving to sites I'm amazed at how much land is unpopulated. Today I drove for what seems like forever through remote parts of Washington state. I was really glad to see people when I finally got to a decent sized town.

Farmlands are populated areas. The farmers replace the natural environment with corn crops and so forth. And when they introduce "seedless" plants and other gentically altered plants - that is a problem because they could not survive well in a wild state without human care and supervison.

[Technosoul]

So far the poll shows that a majority of people are aware that overpopulation is a problem.

I will be going off-line and will not be responding to any other messages for while because I most devote my time and energy to other matters (I am moving to a new location) - Bye.

I Will Be Back.