2006-10-04 17:27:29 · 10 answers · asked by curious 1 in Environment
Does it really matter? As it is, when a small percentage of the population hoardes and wastes the majority of the natural resources it can't support what it has now.
2006-10-04 17:35:25 · answer #1 · answered by LindaLou 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If things are done right, many more billions than what we have now. With the population of 6 billion people, supposedly we can all live in a land area the size of Alaska rather comfortably.
The main problem is the allocation of resources. There's plenty of land space available for farming. Of course, some of that land is desert, some of it is high mountains, and some of it is frozen most of the time. Still there should be plenty of land available for growing all the crops we need.
As for water, only 3% of Earth's water is fresh. To meet a population of a much larger magnitude, desalination plants may be necessary. As well as large storage systems and more rainfall.
Then there is the energy situation. That can also be met with various alternative sources on a large scale, such as solar power, wind power, and other experimental technologies. Supposedly, it is said that just 100 square miles of Solar panels can meet the electricity demands of the United States. That's 10 miles x 10 miles only. Amazing if true.
Unfortunately, due to corruption and misallocation of resources, there will always be haves than have-nots.
2006-10-05 00:48:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, it can support about double what it is already doing - say about 4.3 billion. But that is only if we all make some serious changes to the way we live, conserve resources better and stop relying on fosil and natural fules - including uranium, for power sources.
Untill we stop killing the planet, we don't have a chance.
2006-10-05 00:31:12 · answer #3 · answered by shauny2807 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We have already exceeded it's natural limit by about 300%.
We all need to understand a few basics.
1. Most of the food produced today is fertilized by "Petroleum Products" which have been converted to fertilizer. As oil is depleted so is our food source.
2. We can keep up this "Steal from Paul to pay Peter" for about 30 more years, then LOOK OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You better hope that Mars is available then ;-(
2006-10-05 00:40:04 · answer #4 · answered by TommyTrouble 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Earth can support 20 billion people if u want to keep the ecological balance intact
2006-10-05 00:39:01 · answer #5 · answered by apurba s 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Far fewer than are already here! Humanity has strained Earth's resources to the max.
2006-10-05 08:23:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No one knows what technology will emerge in the future...
Perhaps 20 billion ? 30 billion ?
2006-10-05 01:28:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a lot of eco friendly people... or only a handful like bush.. !
2006-10-05 00:30:53 · answer #8 · answered by ynroh 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Less than we have now
2006-10-07 03:59:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
alot
2006-10-05 00:34:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋