Sir David Attenborough says we in serious trouble if we dont change our ways.

JU_88 · 07-19-12, 11:07 AM

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-16185461.html

Sadly I gotta agree with the old man,
At some point Mankind will have to face either the daunting task of stablising its own numbers voluntairly - or deal with nightmare consquences of not doing so.
And I also agree its not nice to discuss at all, but there will come a day when we wont have a choice any more.

Oberon · 07-19-12, 11:46 AM

I can foresee the one-child per family policy becoming a global thing in the not too distant future. Failing that there's always the possibility of disease or war to help decrease numbers, I suspect given the competition over resources that might come that they will both flourish.

Ducimus · 07-19-12, 11:59 AM

Right now, our entire civilization is dependent upon fossil fuels. I heard somewhere that one spoonful of gas has enough energy of one person doing manual labor for a day. If that's true, then talk about efficient!

It's this effeciency, and the use in fossil fuels in just about everything imaginable that has allowed us to produce more food then the land could yeild on it's own. When the fossil fuels start running out, food shortages will follow by way of less crop yeild, and harder to transport said goods. People will starve because they will be unable to get food because they're isnt enough, or they simply can't afford what is available.

The kick in the crotch to all of this, is that it seems nobody can imagine life any different then what it is now because oil use has become engrained in our society, to the point where some aspects of its use are considered tradition, or even part of our lifestyle. When it finally does run out, we're in for one hell of a rude awakening. Personally, i place the blame firmly on the greedy bastards who can't see past their own immediate market profits and refuse to change. They'll suck it for all its worth, and send our entire society crashing when its finally run out due to their short sightedness.

On a lighter note, the traditional Omish will have the last laugh on everyone. Our modern 20th century is but a small portion of humanities history. This modern world that we live in, won't last forever.

(edit: christ i sound like some crackpot doomsday prepper)

Codz · 07-19-12, 12:08 PM

Space exploration and colonization are an answer. Earth won't last forever.

Ducimus · 07-19-12, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Codz

Space exploration and colonization are an answer. Earth won't last forever.

I'm gonna hazard a guess that even that uses fossil fuels.

Codz · 07-19-12, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

I'm gonna hazard a guess that even that uses fossil fuels.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_S...Rocket_Booster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Main_Engine

Not to mention NTR's are an interesting and speedy way to get around the Solar System if we continue research on them.

JU_88 · 07-19-12, 12:31 PM

Good point Ducimus, I dont think the depletion of fossil fuels wont be an over night thing, it will be a slower gradual process.
but its pretty sad, since we dont need fossile fuel at all. we have many alternatives - while they are not as practiacal or cost effective, they could be if put wnough efforting into research and development.

Codz · 07-19-12, 12:34 PM

Nuclear energy alone could be an effective replacement. So long as facilities are properly maintained and personnel are trained well, it could be a very safe and clean alternative.

07-19-12, 01:07 PM

Nuclear energy probably will solve the over population problem at some point in time.

Just not in a good way.

Codz · 07-19-12, 01:14 PM

Those statements are incredibly irrational and misinformed. Nuclear energy has had a near 100% success rate in the US and France. Chernobyl was a result of an out of date and flawed design and a huge amount of typical Soviet era mismanagement. Fukushima was the result of a bad location and a natural disaster. Not an inherent flaw with nclear energy. Finally, coal and oil energy sources kill more people per year than nuclear energy.
http://alttransport.com/2011/03/coal...nuclear-power/

Ducimus · 07-19-12, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JU_88

Good point Ducimus, I dont think the depletion of fossil fuels wont be an over night thing, it will be a slower gradual process.
but its pretty sad, since we dont need fossile fuel at all. we have many alternatives - while they are not as practiacal or cost effective, they could be if put wnough efforting into research and development.

Funny you should say, "over night". I agree, it won't be over night, but a gradual thing. Hopefully a gradual decline wakes up the powers that be and gets them moving before it ends up being too late.

Anywho, there's this about what would happen if all the oil just went up and disappeared over night. I think that's highly unrealistic and borders on fear mongering, (edit: and concludes as a tree huggers wet dream) but it does a good job to show just how much our society is dependent upon oil.

August · 07-19-12, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Codz

Those statements are incredibly irrational and misinformed. Nuclear energy has had a near 100% success rate in the US and France. Chernobyl was a result of an out of date and flawed design and a huge amount of typical Soviet era mismanagement. Fukushima was the result of a bad location and a natural disaster. Not an inherent flaw with nclear energy. Finally, coal and oil energy sources kill more people per year than nuclear energy.
http://alttransport.com/2011/03/coal...nuclear-power/

I don't think he's talking about nuclear power plants...

Oberon · 07-19-12, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Codz

Those statements are incredibly irrational and misinformed. Nuclear energy has had a near 100% success rate in the US and France.

I think he's referring to the type of nuclear energy that is delivered via missile.

I fully agree with you though, we need off this planet and fast if we're going to continue to expand at this rate. It makes sense, not just in the terms of increased room for population growth, but also for the continued survival of our species in its current technologically advanced status should something befall this planet.
Unfortunately we're in that awkward stage where we're still squabbling amongst ourselves and looking inward rather than outward. It's so close and yet so far.

Personally, I am in favour of an Orion drive system, however it would need to be built in orbit, which involves getting stuff up there. Options that don't involve wasteful rockets include space elevators, or a spacetrack...but my personal favourite is the space-gun, coil or rail would be good, or even a maglev ramp.

Fubar2Niner · 07-19-12, 01:44 PM

Like sir dave says, global warming brothers and sisters, and here's more proof........... Like we need it;

http://news.uk.msn.com/video-clips/?VideoID=2g3gi2y9

Note the size of that bugger!

Oberon · 07-19-12, 01:53 PM

Drat! Better scrub the maglev ramp, I forgot that we're running out of helium faster than we're running out of oil.

Seriously, we are.

07-19-12, 11:07 AM	#1
JU_88 Silent Hunter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK Posts: 3,816 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	Sir David Attenborough says we in serious trouble if we dont change our ways. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-16185461.html Sadly I gotta agree with the old man, At some point Mankind will have to face either the daunting task of stablising its own numbers voluntairly - or deal with nightmare consquences of not doing so. And I also agree its not nice to discuss at all, but there will come a day when we wont have a choice any more.

07-19-12, 12:08 PM	#4
Codz A-ganger Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 73 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	Space exploration and colonization are an answer. Earth won't last forever. __________________ "Magnificent desolation."-Buzz Aldrin

07-19-12, 12:34 PM	#8
Codz A-ganger Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 73 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	Nuclear energy alone could be an effective replacement. So long as facilities are properly maintained and personnel are trained well, it could be a very safe and clean alternative. __________________ "Magnificent desolation."-Buzz Aldrin

07-19-12, 01:14 PM	#10
Codz A-ganger Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 73 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	Those statements are incredibly irrational and misinformed. Nuclear energy has had a near 100% success rate in the US and France. Chernobyl was a result of an out of date and flawed design and a huge amount of typical Soviet era mismanagement. Fukushima was the result of a bad location and a natural disaster. Not an inherent flaw with nclear energy. Finally, coal and oil energy sources kill more people per year than nuclear energy. http://alttransport.com/2011/03/coal...nuclear-power/ __________________ "Magnificent desolation."-Buzz Aldrin

07-19-12, 11:46 AM	#2
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	I can foresee the one-child per family policy becoming a global thing in the not too distant future. Failing that there's always the possibility of disease or war to help decrease numbers, I suspect given the competition over resources that might come that they will both flourish.

07-19-12, 11:59 AM	#3
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	Right now, our entire civilization is dependent upon fossil fuels. I heard somewhere that one spoonful of gas has enough energy of one person doing manual labor for a day. If that's true, then talk about efficient! It's this effeciency, and the use in fossil fuels in just about everything imaginable that has allowed us to produce more food then the land could yeild on it's own. When the fossil fuels start running out, food shortages will follow by way of less crop yeild, and harder to transport said goods. People will starve because they will be unable to get food because they're isnt enough, or they simply can't afford what is available. The kick in the crotch to all of this, is that it seems nobody can imagine life any different then what it is now because oil use has become engrained in our society, to the point where some aspects of its use are considered tradition, or even part of our lifestyle. When it finally does run out, we're in for one hell of a rude awakening. Personally, i place the blame firmly on the greedy bastards who can't see past their own immediate market profits and refuse to change. They'll suck it for all its worth, and send our entire society crashing when its finally run out due to their short sightedness. On a lighter note, the traditional Omish will have the last laugh on everyone. Our modern 20th century is but a small portion of humanities history. This modern world that we live in, won't last forever. (edit: christ i sound like some crackpot doomsday prepper)

07-19-12, 12:31 PM	#7
JU_88 Silent Hunter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK Posts: 3,816 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	Good point Ducimus, I dont think the depletion of fossil fuels wont be an over night thing, it will be a slower gradual process. but its pretty sad, since we dont need fossile fuel at all. we have many alternatives - while they are not as practiacal or cost effective, they could be if put wnough efforting into research and development.

07-19-12, 01:07 PM	#9
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Nuclear energy probably will solve the over population problem at some point in time. Just not in a good way.

07-19-12, 01:44 PM	#14
Fubar2Niner Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: London. UK Posts: 4,187 Downloads: 280 Uploads: 0	Like sir dave says, global warming brothers and sisters, and here's more proof........... Like we need it; http://news.uk.msn.com/video-clips/?VideoID=2g3gi2y9 Note the size of that bugger!

07-19-12, 01:53 PM	#15
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Drat! Better scrub the maglev ramp, I forgot that we're running out of helium faster than we're running out of oil. Seriously, we are.