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[goodcow]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1447863,00.html

Two-thirds of world's resources 'used up'

Tim Radford, science editor
Wednesday March 30, 2005
The Guardian

The human race is living beyond its means. A report backed by 1,360 scientists from 95 countries - some of them world leaders in their fields - today warns that the almost two-thirds of the natural machinery that supports life on Earth is being degraded by human pressure.

The study contains what its authors call "a stark warning" for the entire world. The wetlands, forests, savannahs, estuaries, coastal fisheries and other habitats that recycle air, water and nutrients for all living creatures are being irretrievably damaged. In effect, one species is now a hazard to the other 10 million or so on the planet, and to itself.

"Human activity is putting such a strain on the natural functions of Earth that the ability of the planet's ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted," it says.

The report, prepared in Washington under the supervision of a board chaired by Robert Watson, the British-born chief scientist at the World Bank and a former scientific adviser to the White House, will be launched today at the Royal Society in London. It warns that:

· Because of human demand for food, fresh water, timber, fibre and fuel, more land has been claimed for agriculture in the last 60 years than in the 18th and 19th centuries combined.

· An estimated 24% of the Earth's land surface is now cultivated.

· Water withdrawals from lakes and rivers has doubled in the last 40 years. Humans now use between 40% and 50% of all available freshwater running off the land.

· At least a quarter of all fish stocks are overharvested. In some areas, the catch is now less than a hundredth of that before industrial fishing.

· Since 1980, about 35% of mangroves have been lost, 20% of the world's coral reefs have been destroyed and another 20% badly degraded.

· Deforestation and other changes could increase the risks of malaria and cholera, and open the way for new and so far unknown disease to emerge.

In 1997, a team of biologists and economists tried to put a value on the "business services" provided by nature - the free pollination of crops, the air conditioning provided by wild plants, the recycling of nutrients by the oceans. They came up with an estimate of $33 trillion, almost twice the global gross national product for that year. But after what today's report, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, calls "an unprecedented period of spending Earth's natural bounty" it was time to check the accounts.

"That is what this assessment has done, and it is a sobering statement with much more red than black on the balance sheet," the scientists warn. "In many cases, it is literally a matter of living on borrowed time. By using up supplies of fresh groundwater faster than they can be recharged, for example, we are depleting assets at the expense of our children."

Flow from rivers has been reduced dramatically. For parts of the year, the Yellow River in China, the Nile in Africa and the Colorado in North America dry up before they reach the ocean. An estimated 90% of the total weight of the ocean's large predators - tuna, swordfish and sharks - has disappeared in recent years. An estimated 12% of bird species, 25% of mammals and more than 30% of all amphibians are threatened with extinction within the next century. Some of them are threatened by invaders.

The Baltic Sea is now home to 100 creatures from other parts of the world, a third of them native to the Great Lakes of America. Conversely, a third of the 170 alien species in the Great Lakes are originally from the Baltic.

Invaders can make dramatic changes: the arrival of the American comb jellyfish in the Black Sea led to the destruction of 26 commercially important stocks of fish. Global warming and climate change, could make it increasingly difficult for surviving species to adapt.

A growing proportion of the world lives in cities, exploiting advanced technology. But nature, the scientists warn, is not something to be enjoyed at the weekend. Conservation of natural spaces is not just a luxury.

"These are dangerous illusions that ignore the vast benefits of nature to the lives of 6 billion people on the planet. We may have distanced ourselves from nature, but we rely completely on the services it delivers."

 

[Mario_Hugo]

Anyone who is interested:

READ BUCKMINSTER FULLER. ANYTHING YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON REGARDING COMPREHENSIVE ANTICIPATORY DESIGN SCIENCE.

And Papanek's "Green Imperative," along with any McDonough & Braungart articles.

 

[Zaptruder]

Sounds alarmist.

We'll take over mars before we use up this planet.

 

[Hero]

Reports like this only make want to pollute more. I'll leave an extra light on today just from this.

 

[Outdoor Miner]

Reports like this only make want to pollute more. I'll leave an extra light on today just from this.

Great attitude. How old are you? 14?

 

[ToxicAdam]

Great attitude. How old are you? 14?

I'm 30, and I am going to drive my SUV back to my inefficient home. Sit on my 1970 style toilet, that uses too much water, and take a dump.

Then I will go through my house and do some laundry and wash dishes at the same time. Leaving lights on as a I go throughout the house.

Even though it is 70 degrees today, I will probably leave my electric heat on.

I will probably fall asleep with the TV on. But I will sleep well, its all paid for.


I am still old enough to remember that in the 80's .. all these "world renowned" scientists were saying we would use up all of our fossil fuels by the year 2010. Guess what. They were full of shit.

 

[Outdoor Miner]

Well that's just splendid and all, but you weren't being addressed, so I'd like for you to piss off.

 

[DarienA]

I am still old enough to remember that in the 80's .. all these "world renowned" scientists were saying we would use up all of our fossil fuels by the year 2010. Guess what. They were full of shit.

I remember it too... time to drive the missus' SUV all over the place this weekend...

 

[Triumph]

We're not going to use up ALL of our fossil fuels by 2010. However, more likely than not, we will have reached the peak of oil extraction and production by then. The effects won't be noticeable immediately, probably not for several years. I guarantee you though, the way that you live in 2020(if you're alive at all) will be different than the way that you live today.

http://www.endofsuburbia.com/ for those who aren't going to dismiss this out of hand.

 

[ToxicAdam]

We're not going to use up ALL of our fossil fuels by 2010. However, more likely than not, we will have reached the peak of oil extraction and production by then. The effects won't be noticeable immediately, probably not for several years. I guarantee you though, the way that you live in 2020(if you're alive at all) will be different than the way that you live today.

http://www.endofsuburbia.com/ for those who aren't going to dismiss this out of hand.

What I put in bold, explains alot about your outlook on life. I don't envy those that are burdened by such all-encompassing pessimism.

 

[capslock]

I'm 30

No, I think he was referring to your mental age.

 

[Manabanana]

*looks at gas prices* 'Aight chumps, have fun driving around in your SUVs. I mean, really, there's nothing better your money could be going towards.

 

[DarienA]

We're not going to use up ALL of our fossil fuels by 2010. However, more likely than not, we will have reached the peak of oil extraction and production by then. The effects won't be noticeable immediately, probably not for several years. I guarantee you though, the way that you live in 2020(if you're alive at all) will be different than the way that you live today.

http://www.endofsuburbia.com/ for those who aren't going to dismiss this out of hand.

15 years.... it's too bad we won't be able to revisit this conversation in 15 years...

*looks at gas prices* 'Aight chumps, have fun driving around in your SUVs. I mean, really, there's nothing better your money could be going towards.

Jealousy weakens you... I know, I know you aren't jealous of those of us who can afford to pay for the cost of gas even at it's current price point and not blink and eye....

No, I think he was referring to your mental age.

This post from you for some reason I find to be the funniest postin this thread...

 

[goodcow]

15 years.... it's too bad we won't be able to revisit this conversation in 15 years...



Jealousy weakens you... I know, I know you aren't jealous of those of us who can afford to pay for the cost of gas even at it's current price point and not blink and eye....

Are you planning to kill him?

 

[Raven.]

Hopefully, man can keep progress going for some more decades(they're absolutely necessary), even if the way of life is compromised, and even if millions or billions die... we can't lose all that we've achieved, man's nearing a point of trascendence, an infinity of descendants are at stake here, the future of our civilization, of mankind is at stake. Should we miss this target, our future could very well turn out to be oblivion(meteor strike, mass volcanic eruption, or later on the sun becoming a red giant).

 

[DarienA]

Are you planning to kill him?

What do you mean? I just don't think I'll be on this forum in 15 years... that would put me at age 49-50... and while I might be gaming(in some lite form), or gumming :lol I doubt I'll be around here.

 

[Diablos]

Haha, I think some kind of online GAF reunion when we're like 50-60 years old would kick ass.

 

[DarienA]

Haha, I think some kind of online GAF reunion when we're like 50-60 years old would kick ass.

That would be pretty funny....

 

[Escape Goat]

Boogie walks into the reunion looking same age he does know with two busty beautiful women one each arm...


*pictures group of GAFers by punch bowl* Dude, lets blow this sausage fest and hit up Bob evans. theres this new hostess thats *growl*

 

[ToxicAdam]

No, I think he was referring to your mental age.

Actually, he wasn't referring to me at all. Learn to follow a thread.

 

[radioheadrule83]

It's not alarmist. Either we're fucked or our kids are fucked... or their kids' kids. Either way the human race is fucking itself hard. We can't even avoid climate change now, all we can do is limit it... and there's no significant moves being made that will ensure that. Hell, populations are still ballooning in the west, that's more mouths to feed, more people to keep warm, and more people that'll grow up driving gas guzzlers.

The human race needs a good culling. What's the natural course - world war? A fight to the death for the last third?

 

[Azih]

Actually, he wasn't referring to me at all. Learn to follow a thread

I think we can safely assume that his remarks can be extended to you.


And really when did being wasteful become a virtue?

 

[FeedMeAStrayCat]

It's not alarmist. Either we're fucked or our kids are fucked... or their kids' kids. Either way the human race is fucking itself hard. We can't even avoid climate change now, all we can do is limit it... and there's no significant moves being made that will ensure that. Hell, populations are still ballooning in the west, that's more mouths to feed, more people to keep warm, and more people that'll grow up driving gas guzzlers.

The human race needs a good culling. What's the natural course - world war? A fight to the death for the last third?

This man speaks the truth.
And I could eventually see the US feeling the need to wipe out some part of the world because too many people are living there, taking up our precious resources.. Problem with that is 50% of the US population would probably want the government to actually do that.. bleh.

And also:
It's stupid not to recognize that there's an energy crisis (specifically oil). It's also stupid to want to continue wasting away our current resources.. just because we can, doesn't mean we should. Continue living this way, and you'll be living on Mars even sooner!

 

[ge-man]

It's not alarmist. Either we're fucked or our kids are fucked... or their kids' kids. Either way the human race is fucking itself hard. We can't even avoid climate change now, all we can do is limit it... and there's no significant moves being made that will ensure that. Hell, populations are still ballooning in the west, that's more mouths to feed, more people to keep warm, and more people that'll grow up driving gas guzzlers.

The human race needs a good culling. What's the natural course - world war? A fight to the death for the last third?

That's essentially how I feel. Who cares if the scientists are off on their estimates--we should be doing are best to conserve resources and find other alternatives because these things will not last. We shouldn't let our cozy position cloud our judgemen on these issues.

 

[ToxicAdam]

It's not alarmist. Either we're fucked or our kids are fucked... or their kids' kids. Either way the human race is fucking itself hard. We can't even avoid climate change now, all we can do is limit it... and there's no significant moves being made that will ensure that. Hell, populations are still ballooning in the west, that's more mouths to feed, more people to keep warm, and more people that'll grow up driving gas guzzlers.

The human race needs a good culling. What's the natural course - world war? A fight to the death for the last third?

Shouldn't you be holding a sign on a street corner somewhere?


THE END IS NIGH




If you really want to get fatalistic. We are all born to die. Our existence is a mere blip among the cosmos. We are just all tiny lichen huddled on a rolling rock at the mercy of forces beyond our comprehension. The "end" may have already happened 2 billion light years away from us, we just haven't experienced it yet.

So lighten up, enjoy what we have now. Be good to others.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

Do you think cows sit around and say "dude, stop eating all that fucking grass, there might not be anymore soon"?

 

[Azih]

So what Republicans are cows now? That's cold man!

 

[FeedMeAStrayCat]

Do you think cows sit around and say "dude, stop eating all that fucking grass, there might not be anymore soon"?

I don't know if they actually do.. BUT THEY SHOULD!!! ~cue hysteria~

 

[Foreign Jackass]

I have learned a single thing looking at this thread. DarienA and ToxicAdam are dumbasses. It was worthwhile.

 

[Spike Spiegel]

I don't know about you guys, but I plan to do something about this before it's really too late.

...

I mean, just think of what our lawns would look like without any grass.

 

[Crow]

Shouldn't you be holding a sign on a street corner somewhere?


THE END IS NIGH




If you really want to get fatalistic. We are all born to die. Our existence is a mere blip among the cosmos. We are just all tiny lichen huddled on a rolling rock at the mercy of forces beyond our comprehension. The "end" may have already happened 2 billion light years away from us, we just haven't experienced it yet.

So lighten up, enjoy what we have now. Be good to others.

Yep, just keep guzzling the fuel...I bet your going to be bitching and screaming the next time the price in fuel goes up.

 

[Santo]

I'm 30, and I am going to drive my SUV back to my inefficient home. Sit on my 1970 style toilet, that uses too much water, and take a dump.

Then I will go through my house and do some laundry and wash dishes at the same time. Leaving lights on as a I go throughout the house.

Even though it is 70 degrees today, I will probably leave my electric heat on.

I will probably fall asleep with the TV on. But I will sleep well, its all paid for.


I am still old enough to remember that in the 80's .. all these "world renowned" scientists were saying we would use up all of our fossil fuels by the year 2010. Guess what. They were full of shit.

Wow, you're mature.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

I think the world has an issue that goes way beyond our limited resources: everyone's inability to sense ToxicAdam's obvious sarcasm.

 

[Foreign Jackass]

I think the world has an issue that goes way beyond our limited resources: everyone's inability to sense ToxicAdam's obvious sarcasm.

He's not sarcastic, he's a dumbass.

 

[belgurdo]

From topic start to pointless arguing and insults by 4 posts? You guys are slipping

 

[Outdoor Miner]

I think the world has an issue that goes way beyond our limited resources: everyone's inability to sense ToxicAdam's obvious sarcasm.

Going through his post history, I'm going to have to disagree about this being any "obvious sarcasm".

 

[Kuramu]

Haha, I think some kind of online GAF reunion when we're like 50-60 years old would kick ass.

In order to have a reunion, we'd all have to actually leave this place first.

 

[DarienA]

I have learned a single thing looking at this thread. DarienA and ToxicAdam are dumbasses. It was worthwhile.

Foreign Jackass.... well I guess nothing else needs to be said....

 

[Anthropic]

http://www.endofsuburbia.com/ for those who aren't going to dismiss this out of hand.

What exactly is it with the radical left's hate of suburbia? God forbid someone ow their own house and their own car. Oh what horror that we shop at grocery stores and mow our lawns. Certainly, petrolium-based civilization will be facing some challanges in the years to come, but when you mix serious discussion of that with the standard anti-bourgeoisie tripe what you get is garbage.

 

[talking head]

I am still old enough to remember that in the 80's .. all these "world renowned" scientists were saying we would use up all of our fossil fuels by the year 2010. Guess what. They were full of shit.

what are your sources? if you don't have any, then leave please.

 

[fennec fox]

what are your sources? if you don't have any, then leave please.

www.youreasuckaifyoudisagreewithme.com

 

[Nerevar]

This man speaks the truth.
And I could eventually see the US feeling the need to wipe out some part of the world because too many people are living there, taking up our precious resources.. Problem with that is 50% of the US population would probably want the government to actually do that.. bleh.

And also:
It's stupid not to recognize that there's an energy crisis (specifically oil). It's also stupid to want to continue wasting away our current resources.. just because we can, doesn't mean we should. Continue living this way, and you'll be living on Mars even sooner!

Ja, mein freund Biglesworth23! We need our lebensraum!






Was that totally inappropriate?

 

[speedpop]

I'm guessing that the whole "aliens invading planet to use up all it's resources and what not" premise from every sci-fi movie 1990-onwards is actually depicting the human race invading some other planet :lol

 

[Boogie]

Boogie walks into the reunion looking same age he does know with two busty beautiful women one each arm...

:lol

 

[Fresh Prince]

The human race needs a good culling. What's the natural course - world war? A fight to the death for the last third?

We'd be the first to go.

 

[Fatghost]

I'm not worried about the future.

Laws of supply and demand mean two things will happen:


1. As oil becomes more scare, the price will increase, causing most of our ineffecient sources of oil to become more attractive, ultimately ensuring the supply of oil at whatever the new equilibrium price is.


2. While oil prices might rise, the wealthiest 10% of the world will likely still be able to use that oil at about the same amounts as we do now. Fuck the third world, us happy rich suburbanites in North America will likely be fine.

 

[Hitokage]

As oil becomes more scare, the price will increase, causing most of our ineffecient sources of oil to become more attractive, ultimately ensuring the supply of oil at whatever the new equilibrium price is.

How delightfully naive. You're not considering that those who don't have the resources to make the switch will become even more desprerate for oil, leading to numerious wars... which we won't be able to avoid getting pulled into if we want to maintain our own supply. An oil addicted world starting to lose its supply is not going to be a pretty sight.

 

[Triumph]

What exactly is it with the radical left's hate of suburbia? God forbid someone ow their own house and their own car. Oh what horror that we shop at grocery stores and mow our lawns. Certainly, petrolium-based civilization will be facing some challanges in the years to come, but when you mix serious discussion of that with the standard anti-bourgeoisie tripe what you get is garbage.

Uh huh... so, have you watched the documentary? Care to comment on the many scientists and Dubya's former energy czar who all agree that peak oil will be hit within the next 10 to 15 years? Oh, what's that, you HAVEN'T actually watched the film or informed yourself about the issue, you're just firing off baseless ad hominem attacks against me? Well damn. I've never had a radical right loonie do THAT before!

I'll tell you what's wrong with suburbia. It's wasteful. I have NOTHING against the idea of you owning your own house, car, shopping at the local market etc etc... the problem is that to do that, you feel that you can't live within 20 miles of your workplace. You burn up ridiciulous amounts of resources to live the way you do. Which you would KNOW if you had watched the documentary. But apparently you just want to try and score points on me. Poor effort, too.

 

[Ill Saint]

We keep pissing all over our environment and it's other inhabitants, wiping out millions of years of evolution in a fraction of the time... all while blowing each other up. Human arrogance is truly amazing. We'll get ours soon enough... good riddance.

 

[Fatghost]

How delightfully naive. You're ignoring that those who don't have the resources to make the switch will become even more desprerate for oil, leading to numerious wars... which we won't be able to avoid getting pulled into if we want to maintain our own supply.

You mean countries like Canada and Argentina, who are already net exporters of oil and who's oil supplies are much more costly to extract than say Saudi Arabia or Iraqs? Because those countries stand to gain significantly from higher oil prices.

Look at what happens to the TSX S&P 500 when the price of oil goes up.