The high density of human beings now on the planet makes this a very good question ( One I will not try to address completely here!)
Is there enough space and resources for all of us?.Before I try to deal with this huge question , I , as a production ecologist would like to suggest some limitations to this discussion .
-I don't like the way fear itself is used to try and motivate people on this question. Let's make this discussion a reasoned one . That way , instead of panic, projection and isolation dominating , we have the chance to work together on a rational and non projection focus ( "they need to do things").
- Danger and risk are not enemies . The important thing is to know where the cliffs are, and how to avoid them. Most of the dangers, then are place dangers ( my word). If we all talk "place danger "then any dealings with " really big problems" are more likely to have some substance.
- Many overly pedantic writers tend to see risk as concrete. when to deal with in living breathing life systems you have to see it as often elastic in nature.( see my written thesis). Elasticity is a good thing about the created order.
-Objectivity ( constant) and Coercion ( occasionally) are important ( we need others to help us see) because we as human beings will naturally push the limits. All of mentioned drivers (O, Sand C) are necessarily for us to get the most out of life .
- Uncontrolled greed, storage and self contentedness is a maladaptive tendency common to humans. Only when it is checked , is there an atmosphere where resiliency can grow . If not controlled, the room for resilience is often inadequate and fears of failure come naturally to the fore
-The above named common problem makes it look like there is " not enough room "( and even no hope) when there probably is.
( The best recent illustration of the choice we have here is based on very recent experience here in Victoria , Australia over the last decade, where a Labor government , with all the best intentions in the world cried wolf over the water scarcity issue. -you may see others in your neck of the woods)
We must not panic as some do and will . There is plenty of irrational projection and panic to place pressures( driven by the scenario developed above)
The irrational attempt by our recent Labor Member Holding to create water during the last drought is an cul de sac idea that will cost this country many thousands of young people a creative career in environmental protection ( unecessary jobs and bills) in this State .
This misplaced concreteness was a legacy of panic that was never thought through and never justified - even on one of the driest continents on earth.
Don't follow, lead------ or you may fall over a cliff because YOU are not looking where YOU are going
