Is there a critical mass population for the earth when sustainability ends?

Question

Will the earth ever run out of resources, such as water and food to be able to sustain life as we know it? If so, how long have we got? What can we do to change this?

Answer 1

The fact is that we may have already reached that point, but we won't know until a sustained period of time where the consumption continues at the current rate. We know we are using more natural resources that the earth can produce, especially as it related to biofuels. Even the foodstuffs that we create, though it seems sustainable at the current levels, are all created from natural resources that are diminishing over time, especially our ability to harvest and transport at today's level. Also, we may be our own worst enemy in terms of continuation of the civilization. As natural resources decline, acquisition of the natural resources will become competitive, wars will break out, hoarding will result, famine will likely ensue in some areas and probably spread to others. Maybe we will reduce the population at that point to a sustainable level, or maybe we will continue to increase the population until the entire thing flames out. As the world encroaches on the 3rd world and those who refute our right to encroach become terrorists, who have at their disposal increasing abilities to reach larger audiences with singular mass extinction events through advances in technology (and trickle down of previously advanced technologies to under-advanced civilizations), the possibility of a group of ne'er-do-wells causing some sort of ripple affect which wipes out civilization as we know it increases regularly.

Or maybe we figure out how to properly harness solar energy, everyone becomes geopolitically correct and we all learn how to get along, CO2 emissions stabilize at a sustainable point, and then all we have to worry about is the sun flaming out or a large meteor hitting at just the wrong spot (assuming we don't learn how to stop it with a plasma cannon first).

Answer 2

The UN released a Sustainability report that suggested that we would meet our carrying capacity in around 2050. Not that far away and kind of scary, isn't it. It's time for change.

We have the capacity to change it. We only need to give ourselves a priceless wake up call. How you could help depends on the area you live in. Look up some local NGO's dealing with land issues, avoid purchasing meat raised in a factory farm. It's pumped full of hormones and antibiotics anyways. Eat less meat, try to delete one or two days of meat consumption a week. All of the little things make the most difference. Participate by researching what you buy and what you are eating, is it contributing to the problem? Then stop it.

Answer 3

This is going to be cold but I believe that its the truth.
Do you know why cigarettes are still on the market? Its not what you may think. I believe its our only regulators. Human beings do not have natural enemies. So we introduce an unnatural enemy one that kills millions so that we don't over populate. Think about it, it makes a lot of sense. What is more toxic and deadly and more addictive than a cigarette? nothing. But its calming and doesn't give you a high that's what justifies it as legal here.
Now theres Aids- a virus that we created and one that we unleashed. Why? was it an accident? I don't think so. Cigarettes wasn't doing its job fast enough in the beginning so Aids was introduced. Now the two are the only thing keeping us from hitting critical mass.

I'm sorry if I offended anyone or if I hurt anyone but I truly feel that this is the only reason the government is letting the production of cigarettes go. Aids was something they thought they could control now its out of control and they are scrambling to slow it down or at least they say they are.

Answer 4

There was a study done about 15 or 20 years ago that indicated if everyone on Spaceship Earth lived at a 'typical, middle-class' American level, the Earths could sustain around 3.5 billion people. We're closing in on twice that number. And I cannot for the life of me remember the citation for the report. (Gettin' old sucks ☺)


Doug

Answer 5

We will definately run out of resources some experts say that 500million is about the population the earth can sustain.

Answer 6

10 billion might want to enormously a lot sink the deliver FYI: nutrients isn't the project, sparkling water and ability is a large problem. on the instantaneous if the six and one 0.5 billion human beings of earth were to all stay on an same aspect because the regularly occurring U.S. or eu citizen, we would choose seven earths to furnish this inhabitants with it truly is products and amenities. (To illegalsuck: regrettably on your case birth control can in problem-free words be used before the guy is born, no longer after)

Answer 7

Over Population of our species has become like a virus out of control. Religions and special interests groups that what members refuse to address it because we are nothing but commodities to them. They are thwarting education and critical thinking, and advertising a life of consumption. We need to lose our fear of being chastised by religious leaders in talking about less babies and talk to the quality of life - not quantity!

Answer 8

that is one big problem that we will be facing in the future, maybe a hundred years from now. our planet's resources are thinning and the population is growing. we must start conserving our resources by using only what we immediately need. we should avoid excesses. conservation and preservation is the name of the game.

Answer 9

There absolutely IS a limit on what can be sustained. I personally, feel very confident that we have already passed that point, quite a few years ago.

We are just living on "borrowed time".

Answer 10

Dude, you must loose a lot of sleep over this. To change?? Stop the birthing of babies in all countries. Slow down the use of gas/oil in all countries. REVIVE the waterways. Slow down domestic waste. These are some uneducated guesses but any genius would agress to atleast one of them.