CAN WE HUMANS SUSTAIN OURSELVES IN THE 21ST CENTURY?

With the world population at 6 billion and more already in this century what will our world be like? This total populace passed the 6 billion mark before 1999. There are so many considerations in answering this question and Professor K. Bruce Newbold of the School of Geography and Earth Sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton Canada has attempted to outline the answers in his latest book, “Six Billion Plus”. One of the most important conclusions he lays out is that even though we can sustain this burgeoning population, our kind of growth inevitably will slow economic expansion while magnifying the damage created by other problems such as: land degradation, safe clean and plentiful water supplies, job growth, health problems (like HIV and other widespread health problems).

Yes it is complex and we all have to decide what is important for each of us. Different continents will produce problems that others may solve. Maybe they will balance each other, but the key to survival of the human race, on this our own “island”, is international cooperation and coordination. No longer is it acceptable to continue religious or family warfare that has persisted for centuries and in some cases for thousands of years. Our survival is doomed unless we want to make our world work. Is this possible? Well the Professor at least tells us about some of the ways we can make our future work.

Newbold has also included dozens of web site addresses and hot links for those who are really interested in this intriguing subject. And maybe we all should at least take a more serious look at it. You might think this would be dull reading, but it is not. There’s plenty of juicy stats and conclusions that are provocative. At the end of it, you will find yourself with serious personal considerations.