This planet just hit 7 billion people. I know this is not a blog about politics, economics, and social trends. However, for a former triple major in International Relations, History, and Political Science and a masters in education I just have to add my two cents. If you add it up with all my other two cents from this blog you now have your first dollar online.
Anyways, to the point. I have always been interested in this discussion, because in the next 50 years population size will determine every conversation on this planet. Environment-well it does not look sustainable for 7, 8, 9, and 10 billion people over the long haul. Poverty-with less resources poverty could soar. There are a number of things that arise from this. Famine-people dying from no food or lack of quality food. War-ever seen two pre-schoolers fight over one teddy bear. Picture that worldwide in 20-30 years.
I think you get my point. So, here are a few of my solutions to these challenges. Some may be unorthodox, and some blend seamlessly with what is happening right now in the world.
1. If this planet can not support our population then we need to find other planets that can do this. Obviously this is a lot harder than it sounds. We can not snap our fingers and suddenly end up in Orion’s belt. However, just as we set out to send a man to the moon in the sixties we must send human colonies out to the moon and to Mars in the next 15 years.
The technology is getting closer and closer to actually becoming a reality. Plus, we have in a weird way all of our eggs in one basket. Humans are all stuck on this one planet when the universe is so wide and vast that if we set out now to reach the end of it(if there is an end) it would take billions and billions of years.
Second, we must discuss birth control. It just does not make sense any more to have more than two children in most parts of the world. As a former teacher I am pro-child, but also know that the more children that are out there in the planet at this point the more we risk overrunning all of our resources and hurting out future.
That is why personally I would never have more than two children. Actually one of the things that attracted me to my wife when we started to get serious was that we had similar views on a lot of topics, such as children. We both said one and done. In recent years we have discussed the possibility of adopting a second child, but that would be all.It just does not feel right to have more children than there are parents.
Sorry if this is not the light-hearted approach towards social media that I usually take, but I feel that the population of this world needs to be systematically reduced over the generations. The only way to do that is to start today. In the meantime, I would like to welcome with open arms the 7th billion human on this planet.
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Very good points. The population of this planet is a very important topic. We need to be aware of it and be able to understand how important it is that we find other suitable locations to inhabit.
Great report.
Gary,
By locations are you talking about here on Earth or elsewhere?
Andy
Andy,
I suppose I was too brief in my thought. What I am trying to say is that we need to create sustainable environments right here on Earth. The big issue for China is that China and very soon become like the Japanese where there are not enough workers to sustain the retirements of the elderly. In other words, if they do not change their one child policy soon, they will find themselves upside-down.
We need to solve or energy needs in order to elevate most of our issues. And I am afraid we need to rely on oil until we have some source of renewable energy that is cost effective and reliable. Technologically speaking, we are not even close to that. Something like fusion or vacuum energy is needed. Then we can slow down a bit, have less children and better lives.
The issue with space travel is that we just might find out that as humans, we may not really be able to leave our planet for voyages of prolonged spaceflight. Too much radiation to overcome at a cost that is prohibitive. Perhaps once our energy needs are really solved, we can take a stab at that. But until then, it is oil and more people to sustain the ever growing weight of people no longer in the work force. – (Longer answer)
Gary,
I understand that you are saying that retirement will affect the percentage of workers versus retired workers, however, there is a good chance that retirement ages will rise anyways, and also with increased medical budgets you will also see a reduction in necessary costs for the elderly. In the long run it will not matter about the elderly problem if we overuse our resources.
I agree with you that the energy needs to be solved.
Space flight currently is not possible, but just as we have developed better technologies to prevent the radiation more effectively.
Andy,
Still, as it is now, countries like Japan, Italy, France, Russia and many more are at 1.7 birth rate and no mater how we increase the retirement age, they are in deep trouble.
Your right that the US is OK, thanks to the hispanics. Whites are reproducing at about 1.8 but our rate is a healthy 2.3. About as balanced as you could want.
As to resources, my understanding from energy experts here in Houston, the energy capital of the world, is that we have about 300 years at the rates of increase in use and population we have now. And as we become more efficient, we can extend that. So we have time to product the next quantum leap in energy production.
It is all pretty interesting. And a breakthrough in space flight would be cool. I am all for it. Hate how NASA was gutted this year. Many are putting a best face spin on that but if we are going privet, the transition could have been handled sooo much better. Good talking with you!
One of the most effective ways to reduce the rapid increase of our population is with the use of birth control. However, the government wants it, but the church don’t. I respect the side of the church, but for the benefit of mother earth and future generations, people all over the world should embrace the use of birth control.
It would really be amazing to have birth control more widespread. Just because you have the birth control, does not mean that everyone will use it. That is why I do not get their protestation. Those who would already do so, would do it anyways.
I agree with you it is sure a good thing if most people in the world will know about birth control. For now, I hope that people will acknowledge the current condition of earth and have the initiative to do what is right for the benefit of everyone.
Candice,
That is the key word “Initiative”!
Andy
Andy, I did a post recently talking about what a billion meant in terms of seconds, minutes etc. I find these things fascinating.
But imagine something else I discovered while doing my research. The National Debt of the US is currently in excess of 14 trillion dollars. Now I am not too good with all these zeros at the end of the numbers but I calculate that if everyone on earth were to contribute just $2000 each, we could get rid of all that debt…
Lets go to the moon.
That is a little scary that we owe 14 trillion dollars. That money almost seems ready to decide our destiny.
Hey Andy,
I’ll leave the Mars probe to others, but since I belong to a couple of international organizations focused on women’s issues I would like to just share that the subject of birth control is not new to the women of the world – though self empowerment continues to remain elusive, especially those in the areas of the most rapidly growing populations. I would like to invite anyone interest in learning more about this subject to visit Women in the World at http://womenintheworld.org/ to learn the facts and issues first hand. Thanks Andy!
Marquita,
In regards to the women issue’s I know that they have made some progress, but not nearly enough to be effective right now. That is great private institutions, such as Women In The World are doing a great job promoting these very needed causes.
Andy
Andy,
I need one and one. Already got my little girl so I’m going to try for a little man and I’m done. Your logic is in alignment with mine.
Dewane,
I understand the boy and the girl theory as well, however, one and done sounds very nice.
Andy
Hi Andy, good tittle and article! really caught my eye. Overpopulation indeed is an issue our world is facing today and one of the good things about this is that many organizations are now taking it upon themselves to raise awareness to more and more people. Actions have also been made to prevent anything that destroys our environment and at the same time preserving our natural resources whilst creating new ones. Thanks for sharing. We all need to do our part to save mother earth.
Stevie,
Thanks! Very true on how we all need to do our part. It is great that there are people involved, just looking to up the ante.
Andy
Andy,
Billion is such a BIG number, it’s really kinda scary to think that with so many people in the world, that most people don’t know their neighbors.
Regardless of what the media and others say, this world can sustain everyone. It’s those with “power” that cause the issues.
Thanks!
-Dereck
Dereck,
I understand that those with “power” are not doing what is necessary, but the challenge is that no one wants to take full responsibility for achieving long term success. That is why in one degree we would almost be better off with just one world government to deal with the threats. Will happen when a true worldwide emergency happens.
Andy