Human Impact: People Population Production Planet
by Breeona Boyd and Tiffany Tuschmann
The current population in the world is reported on UN.org to be 7.3 billion and is only getting higher; by just 2030 it is projected to reach 8.5 billion. When hearing these numbers one has to consider the impact that all these people will have on the earth. If we were all “living correctly” in regards to the earth then their would not be much to worry about. Sadly that is not the case. We have abused our planet with pollution, destruction and carelessness. Due to the way that we have treated our planet travesties like climate change have occurred due to global warming. Global warming is referred to as the set of changes to the earths climate and long term weather patterns. This largely effects our eco system. Specifically the consumption and use of fossil fuels directly impacts the eco system. For example, when extracting oil from the earth everything around that area is up rooted, the earth and all of the wildlife that inhabits that area. In a presentation called The Climate Reality Project speaker Malia Brown spoke on global warming and explained that the burning of fossil fuel is the biggest issue. That is scary because just about everything involves fossil fuels in some way; clothing, travel, factories, etc. What’s even scarier is the thought that fossil fuels will eventually run out.
Extracting oil is just one example but we should question; whether or not it is possible to live on this planet and not disturb the environment and whether or not the earth can realistically continue in this condition? In Margret Robertson's Sustainability: Principles and Practice textbook Carrying capacity is explained as a scientific term that defines the number of individuals an environment can support without degrading a populations ecosystem. It is reported that if all humans on the planet lived with the same standard of living as of the people of Canada and the United States we would need 4.5 more planet earths even if the population doesn’t grow. This fact is startling. With that being said to answer the question, no, we cannot live on the planet and not disturb the ecosystem because we haven’t learned how to and adapted to the ways of living that we should have globally. Furthermore, no, our planet cannot continue like this. We do not have 4.5 earths at our disposal.
Extracting oil is just one example but we should question; whether or not it is possible to live on this planet and not disturb the environment and whether or not the earth can realistically continue in this condition? In Margret Robertson's Sustainability: Principles and Practice textbook Carrying capacity is explained as a scientific term that defines the number of individuals an environment can support without degrading a populations ecosystem. It is reported that if all humans on the planet lived with the same standard of living as of the people of Canada and the United States we would need 4.5 more planet earths even if the population doesn’t grow. This fact is startling. With that being said to answer the question, no, we cannot live on the planet and not disturb the ecosystem because we haven’t learned how to and adapted to the ways of living that we should have globally. Furthermore, no, our planet cannot continue like this. We do not have 4.5 earths at our disposal.
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ReplyDeleteWow! Your final sentence resounds in my mind! You write: "Furthermore, no, our planet cannot continue like this. We do not have 4.5 earths at our disposal." And I just can't stop thinking about it- we don't have more Earths at our disposal. So well put!
ReplyDeleteAlso LOVE your image- especially with that FAB footprint pic in the center. Your left side pics of what is and your right side images of what can be are so drastically different...... I wonder what you suggest in ways we can get to tha wonderful other side? How can we "Save our support system" as you type at the top....? Can't wait to discuss in class!