End of the World?

The opinions below are controversial and I welcome the thoughts of others. (Please stay to the Earth science.)

(I also always appreciate those who include a signature or signature file with your affiliation/school location as I have below.)

Many apocalyptic predictions about Earth/humanity were either misguided or the existential threats have been overcome.

The demographers have known for decades that overpopulation of Earth is unlikely because as wealth becomes more pervasive, children become more of a financial liability and less needed to support us in old age. We have huge discrepancies (!) due to political situations, but in most of the world life is much better now than a century ago. Look at population trends in Europe. 

Arguably, since US development and use and of nuclear weapons and world wide proliferation, nuclear apocalypse seems less like now than 60 years ago. All-out nuclear war could be suicidal.

Running out of food for humanity is unlikely because the green revolution (and the decreasing human footprint) produces more food than we need. Yes, people are starving in some places, but the reason is political/military, not a lack of food world-wide.

I contend that world-wide, human caused pollution is generally decreasing. Even China has made strides to reduce their worst forms of pollution.

Hopefully, COVID (plague and smallpox) will be a model of how we can deal with disease/pandemics. (We all hope I’m not being overly optimistic.)

As we run low on certain resources, especially fossil fuels, we most often find better alternatives. Renewable energy sources are becoming more and more prevalent. Economist Julian Simon stated, “Our most valuable resource is human ingenuity."

But global climate change, and especially fresh water, is very troubling. If you want to see the future and how we need to and can adapt follow what’s happening in the American Southwest.

I see it up-close.

But even in Arizona (and the American Southwest), we have less of a crisis in water supplies than a crisis in intelligent water management.

Again, I believe that our greatest resistance to the changes we need (economic forces) will become forces that will drive us toward solutions. But as Earth scientists (citizens and educators) we need to help guide those changes to avoid abuse of that non-renewable resource. (water)

As I look at our political, economic and environmental problems, I come back to the conclusion that the best way move forward is the foundation of an educated and sensible citizenry and an understanding of Earth systems.

That’s why what you do is so important and it’s so important that citizens support strong public education.