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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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 Posted: 06/16/05 - 09:48 Post subject: Overpopulation
I was at the Science museum with my nephew a few weeks ago and was struck by an exhibit with a visual example demonstrating the change in population from 1800, 1900 and 2000. They used different colored ping pong balls in large plastic cyllanders representing each year, each ball representing so many million people and the colors representing the continents those people were located. It made me a little sick to see the exponential jump in population from 1900 to 2000. I don't know much about this topic and thought I'd raise it here. Is overpopulation something to think about? Does it concern you? Did the Chinese have at least the right intentions with their population control practices?
Check this out from the population reference bureau, I think these are similar numbers that I saw at the museum. Interestingly, this site speculates that underdeveloped countries are where the major spikes in population will be. What are your thoughts? Do I need to lay off the caffeine or is there a crisis up ahead for our kids and grandkids?
http://www.prb.org/Content/NavigationMenu/PRB/Educators/Human_Population/Population_Growth/Population_Growth.htm
it also must be noted some of these thoughts of mine were started in college after reading "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn
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copteacher
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 11:27 Post subject:
Mathus (sp) predicted world wide famine and the like due to overpopulation many years ago.
Food is not a real problem, it is the fair distribution that is the key. I am not going to get into fat americans or anything like that. There are a lot of corrupt govts in the world, Esp. Africa that horde food and let people die.
I think the biggest issue is water rights. That is going to be the source of some big conflict in the future
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gretriever
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 11:33 Post subject:
| rtpd113 wrote: |
I think the biggest issue is water rights. That is going to be the source of some big conflict in the future |
It's coming to be an issue real fast in the Middle East and between India and Pakistan. There's even a bit of a stink between North Dakota and Manitoba about diverting water for the benefit of Devil's Lake.
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Gogirlgo
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Location: No deal, stalker.
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 13:18 Post subject:
| rtpd113 wrote: | Mathus (sp) predicted world wide famine and the like due to overpopulation many years ago.
Food is not a real problem, it is the fair distribution that is the key. I am not going to get into fat americans or anything like that. There are a lot of corrupt govts in the world, Esp. Africa that horde food and let people die.
I think the biggest issue is water rights. That is going to be the source of some big conflict in the future |
Are you playing with me, Officer?
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copteacher
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 14:23 Post subject:
| Gogirlgo wrote: |
Are you playing with me, Officer? |
'cuse me. I know that this is just a huge issue around the world and especially in the M.E.
We have talked about this before. I just think a water problem will be more of a problem than too many people.
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TriBob
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 14:37 Post subject:
My old Prof always said, there is never a drought just to many people.
I think it is the chicken and egg scenerio.
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HYPERASHEL
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Posted: 06/17/05 - 17:25 Post subject:
It's a little funny that i was just going thru this the other day by myself, trying to remember the total popualtion and wondering what the percentages were. i was off on the percentages giving us more but i was right on the total.
Do i think China is wrong in it's goal. mixed feelings. while it's easy to say they are violating human rights by limiting child births, the goverment also has a responsibility to 1 it's citizens and 2: the planet's population.
while i am sure they did it for the former reason, understanding that put a strain in thier resourses, this then makes them rely on trade which takes money out of thier coffers that could otherwise be spent on more useful things, health, military, infrastructure.
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tdassow
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Posted: 07/08/05 - 01:50 Post subject:
Should life be viewed as an asset or a liability?
If asset, then I believe the natural laws of life will regulate our existence on this planet and beyond. For example, in the U.S. our birth rate levelled off because of simple economics. The issue here is justice.
If liability, then we need to artificially control our own population, much like we do with mosquitoes or white-tail deer. A rather negative outlook.
I like to believe that all life is to be valued, and be given the opportunity to contribute to the world. It is a hard belief to maintain, especially when reading the newspaper, etc.
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 07/10/05 - 09:10 Post subject:
| tdassow wrote: | Should life be viewed as an asset or a liability?
If asset, then I believe the natural laws of life will regulate our existence on this planet and beyond. For example, in the U.S. our birth rate levelled off because of simple economics. The issue here is justice.
If liability, then we need to artificially control our own population, much like we do with mosquitoes or white-tail deer. A rather negative outlook.
I like to believe that all life is to be valued, and be given the opportunity to contribute to the world. It is a hard belief to maintain, especially when reading the newspaper, etc. |
Excellent post, thank you.
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