I do not acknowledge fresh water as ever being depleted. This planet is covered with water. The idea that it will somehow disappear is absurd.Fresh water and petroleum are crucial to current food production, right? Do you acknowledge that both of those are being depleted?
No I don’t. The issue is one of greed and sin, not overpopulation.So since we can’t claim science will improve the outcome, you need to explain how we’re going to double food production in 70 years. You must take into account the fact that how much you increase production is limited by petroleum and fresh water supplies. Of course, you also need to remember that desertification in Africa and soil depletion in slash-and-burn areas are creating greater problems everyday.
No… If producing for today’s population means we will loose production capability tomorrow, that’s an issue with overpopulation.Perhaps, but that does not imply a problem with overpopulation.
It implies a problem with resource utilization…
Yes, it is a resource problem- the problem being that there aren’t enough resources to maintain current POPULATION levels and growth rates.But again, this not a population problem, it is a resource problem.
And one I will be more then happy to argue over once this overpopulation silliness is ended.
Depends on the region- in general that’s only true on U.S. farms.I would be more liely to believe it is done to maintain the marketability of farm products.
Are you aware that our aquifers are being massively over drafted?I do not acknowledge fresh water as ever being depleted. This planet is covered with water. The idea that it will somehow disappear is absurd.
So you believe right now we could double food production and maintain that level of production indefinitely?No I don’t. The issue is one of greed and sin, not overpopulation.
The resources to grow the food necessary are there even now. It is the distribution that has always presented the problem.
Like I said earlier…you cannot claim a problem with overpopulation until the resources are 100% utilized and distributed and found not to be sufficient.Yes, it is a resource problem- the problem being that there aren’t enough resources to maintain current POPULATION levels and growth rates.
So?Are you aware that our aquifers are being massively over drafted?
Remember the distinction between cheap water and water? Water from an aquifer is infinitely cheaper than water that is desalinized and transported hundreds of miles.So?
Are you aware that there is more water in the ocean?
But since we know that fresh water is already being consumed far beyond the rate of replacement, increasing production will make things worse.Like I said earlier…you cannot claim a problem with overpopulation until the resources are 100% utilized and distributed and found not to be sufficient.
Currently we do not utilize all of the resources at our disposal nor do we distribute the resources we have utilized at all well.
The problem is not the population, it is the utilization of the resources.
I had a conversation with my son yesterday concerning his grades.
His claim was that the grade was a product of the teachers not giving him sufficient time to complete the assignments. Upon examination, it is discovered that he had many days to complete the assignment in, yet he did not work on it until the last day.
Resource utilization.
Now if my son had made this claim, and I had found he had worked the assignment each day as he should have, then I would feel compelled to talk to the teacher about it. But since he did not use the resources at his disposal, the argument that there were not enough resources is completely blown.
This is the same argument.
You cannot tell me that there are not enough resources when the resources are not being used.
And the desalinized and transported water is infinitely cheaper then a single human life.Remember the distinction between cheap water and water? Water from an aquifer is infinitely cheaper than water that is desalinized and transported hundreds of miles.
But we are not using fresh water beyond what can be replaced.But since we know that fresh water is already being consumed far beyond the rate of replacement, increasing production will make things worse.
Are you aware of the water cycle? It’s not like we use it and then it disappears forever.Are you aware that our aquifers are being massively over drafted?
We do not need to do that right now, do we? Over the course of the past 50 years, we did, and we will do that again as it becomes more profitable to do so.So you believe right now we could double food production and maintain that level of production indefinitely?
As I said, that is thousands of times as expensive. I doubt we could afford to set up that sort of infrastructure, let alone maintain it.But we are not using fresh water beyond what can be replaced.
All we need do is desalinate the sea water and we have all of the water we could ever want.
Is it your contention that we will suddenly lose the ability to boil water?
The water used for farming once is generally not reusable in for foreseeable future.Are you aware of the water cycle? It’s not like we use it and then it disappears forever.
But since current production levels aren’t sustainable…We do not need to do that right now, do we? Over the course of the past 50 years, we did, and we will do that again as it becomes more profitable to do so.
And when you find a way to make it viable, you let us know.And the desalinized and transported water is infinitely cheaper then a single human life.
There is an issue with clean, potable water though.I do not acknowledge fresh water as ever being depleted. This planet is covered with water. The idea that it will somehow disappear is absurd.
Oh, really? Where does it go? Does it not go into the ground, evaporate, and turn into rain like other kinds of water? Or are farmers hoarding it?The water used for farming once is generally not reusable in for foreseeable future.
Current production isn’t sustainable? Where? How?But since current production levels aren’t sustainable…
A great deal of it gets polluted by the fertilizers it mixes with. The majority is absorbed into the produce.Oh, really? Where does it go? Does it not go into the ground, evaporate, and turn into rain like other kinds of water? Or are farmers hoarding it?
Here, our aquifers are being drained and the petroleum we use is far from infinite.Current production isn’t sustainable? Where? How?
In America, the USDA pays farmers not to grow crops. In Zimbabwe, Mugabwe has completely destroyed the agricultural sector.
You can say or not say whatever you like, but it isn’t in line with reality.I’m sure there’s lots of stuff in the nations inbetween going on, but I would not say that our current production levels are not sustainable.
You do realize that the topic in question is overpopulation…right?As I said, that is thousands of times as expensive. I doubt we could afford to set up that sort of infrastructure, let alone maintain it.
OK, I could argue you on that. But at least we agree that the issue is not overpopulation.There is an issue with clean, potable water though.
So the produce we eat has no water in it?A great deal of it gets polluted by the fertilizers it mixes with. The majority is absorbed into the produce.
Proof please. You cannot simply claim something as accepted fact, you need to provide sources.Here, our aquifers are being drained and the petroleum we use is far from infinite.
As opposed to the mysterious disappearing water you would have people believe in?You can say or not say whatever you like, but it isn’t in line with reality.