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Paul Gilding: The Earth is full

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 12:43 am
by Mr. G
Have we used up all our resources? Have we filled up all the livable space on Earth? Paul Gilding suggests we have, and the possibility of devastating consequences, in a talk that's equal parts terrifying and, oddly, hopeful.

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Re: Paul Gilding: The Earth is full

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 5:47 am
by KathyLauren
Beyond full. The best estimates are that the Earth can sustainably support at most about 2 billion people. That means that we are headed in only one direction... :o

Re: Paul Gilding: The Earth is full

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 6:16 am
by Huseng
KeithBC wrote:Beyond full. The best estimates are that the Earth can sustainably support at most about 2 billion people. That means that we are headed in only one direction... :o
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Re: Paul Gilding: The Earth is full

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 6:26 am
by Huseng
I was reading recently about how shale gas deposits in North and South America could potentially quadruple existing fossil fuel reserves, at least according to some estimates.

Even if that proved correct (which I doubt it is), that's even worse than not having the shale reserves.

It just means we'll be dumping even more carbon into the atmosphere and cooking the planet.

Re: Paul Gilding: The Earth is full

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:26 am
by Quiet Heart
:alien:
Absolutely great. What I've been saying for years....but nobody listens to an old fool like me.
The only complaint I have about this talk is that he glosses over the fact that if, when the big change starts we are 50% over the limit at that time....then 50% of the excess people will have to go. And that won't be easy to do or be done with any compassion either.
It probably won't bother me personally...I'm 66 now, so I don't expect to be around in 2050 (or whenever) when the crunch hits.
But I do feel sorry for those that will be.
I hope I'm wrong however.
But, as he says in his speech...it's time for us (as a species I guess) to grow up and become adults. if we don't, or somehow can't do that...maybe the cockroaches will do it right the next time.
:shrug:

Re: Paul Gilding: The Earth is full

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:50 am
by Huseng
Quiet Heart wrote: But I do feel sorry for those that will be.
I hope I'm wrong however.
But, as he says in his speech...it's time for us (as a species I guess) to grow up and become adults. if we don't, or somehow can't do that...maybe the cockroaches will do it right the next time.
:shrug:
When the fossil fuels are used up, it looks likely that we'll revert to pre-industrial demographics and population levels.

That means maybe six to seven billion human beings will be tossed into history's dumpster.

That's actually what will happen.

Just imagine how many more people would die before the age of sixty if ambulance services became unavailable. That is to say nothing of decline in general healthcare, food production, transportation and other necessities for having such high population levels.

The unfortunate reality, however, is you tell this to a lot of people and maybe they accept it, but still live their lives business as usual. Kids, cars, houses, mortgages, etc... You seldom see sacrifice.

The best thing anyone can do is be poor voluntarily. Then when the crunch hits you'll already be near rock bottom, so the descent down to it won't be a smashing crash landing.

Re: Paul Gilding: The Earth is full

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:34 pm
by justsit
Huseng wrote:I was reading recently about how shale gas deposits in North and South America could potentially quadruple existing fossil fuel reserves, at least according to some estimates.

Even if that proved correct (which I doubt it is), that's even worse than not having the shale reserves.

It just means we'll be dumping even more carbon into the atmosphere and cooking the planet.
The concerns with shale gas production include air pollution, groundwater contamination, radioactive contamination, etc., in addition to greenhouse gas emission and earthquakes.
cf, Fracking
Brought to you by the fine folks who produced Deepwater "That could never happen" Horizon and Exxon Valdez.

Re: Paul Gilding: The Earth is full

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 4:47 pm
by Huseng
justsit wrote: The concerns with shale gas production include air pollution, groundwater contamination, radioactive contamination, etc., in addition to greenhouse gas emission and earthquakes.
cf, Fracking
Brought to you by the fine folks who produced Deepwater "That could never happen" Horizon and Exxon Valdez.
There you go. Another dangerous idea implemented to ensure mass consumerism can still live on for a few more years despite mortgaging our childrens' futures.

Re: Paul Gilding: The Earth is full

Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 3:03 am
by padma norbu
doubling time = all you need to know to know why nobody talks about doubling time