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This page contains all of the posts and discussion on MemeStreams referencing the following web page: Environmental Heresies. You can find discussions on MemeStreams as you surf the web, even if you aren't a MemeStreams member, using the Threads Bookmarklet.
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Environmental Heresies
by Rattle at 7:48 pm EDT, Jul 18, 2005 |
Over the next ten years, I predict, the mainstream of the environmental movement will reverse its opinion and activism in four major areas: population growth, urbanization, genetically engineered organisms, and nuclear power.
Environmentalism, meet realism. I agree with the author's assertions here. Time has clarified a number of things, but the environmental movement has not necessarily moved to embrace any of it. I must admit to being unaware that population growth had leveled off.. |
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RE: Environmental Heresies
by noteworthy at 9:59 pm EDT, Jul 18, 2005 |
I must admit to being unaware that population growth had leveled off..
Make sure you read that closely: In the 1990s, the U.N. started taking a closer look at fertility patterns, and in 2002, it adopted a new theory that shocked many demographers: human population is leveling off rapidly, even precipitously, in developed countries, with the rest of the world soon to follow.
The site to visit is the United Nations Population Division Home Page. Africa is at 4.8, Asia is at 2.5, Latin America is at 2.8, and Oceania is at 2.4. Only Europe and North America are at or below replacement rate, at 1.5 and 2.1, respectively. Of course, the fertility rate is not the same as the replacment rate, so a proper mapping requires additional data. |
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RE: Environmental Heresies
by paul at 4:08 pm EDT, Jul 20, 2005 |
To be precise, population growth is decreasing, but the absolute population is growing. Particularly a problem in Africa and parts of Asia. The issue is that the land is already having trouble supporting the current population. If population stops growing 20 years from now settling at double today's population, these countries will have serious problems. Also, keep in mind that much of the underdeveloped world has lots of room for improvement in life expectancy. This agravates population problems further |
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