micromass said:
Well, I'm certainly not joking. And it's hard to present something to support my conclusion, let's just say that it's my gut feeling.
But maybe I'll try to present something rational anyways:
- oil and various metals will be depleted within the next 50 years (so I've heard), and our entire society depends on oil. We have nothing to replace oil with. This is a recipy for disaster.
- the popultation will increase exponentially. If we don't force any measure to control population, then we will soon see a massive amount of deaths by starvation and war.
- Clean sources of water are running out fast. Water will soon be a very expensive resource.
Then again, I've always had a very pessimistic outlook on life. But I don't see how humans will be able to deal with this...
There are several things incorrect here:
(1) As others have said, as the oil runs out (gradually) we will use other forms of energy.
(2) Unlike energy, metals can't be depleted because they don't go anywhere. Unless you launch them into outer space, they are available to be recycled.
(3) Population is no longer growing exponentially, the growth rate is slowing significantly, and we are on track to reach steady state at about 9-10 billion people in about 2060. Most developed countries are already at negative population growth, and virtually every country has seen a big fall in its population growth rate as it develops economically. Thus, continued economic growth of the underdeveloped countries is the best solution.
(4) Clearly the water is there, and since it is a renewable resource, it is just a question of using what we have intelligently.
Not that there aren't problems, but I think the future will be much brighter than you make it sound. I have been hearing these doom predictions for decades, and at the same time watching most of the world get richer, healthier, longer-lived, etc. Don't believe it.