I watched a documentary this past week about the supposed truth about overpopulation. Apparently some are concerned that the earth is becoming overcrowded and won't be able to support the rising population. The professor who was directing this documentary was pointing out that things are not as bad as it seems. Overall people are having less children. At the same time, people are living longer. So it all balances out. He pointed something out that really made me think.
First of all, if you could wish for one thing to make the world a better place, what would it be? The eradication of extreme poverty? A cleaner atmosphere? Fewer natural disasters? I think we might be looking in the wrong place for the solution to world problems. Let's say that world poverty disappears. Viola! Everyone has access to basic comforts and technologies. How many more washing machines are running? How many more air conditioners and televisions and electric lights? A lot considering 21% of the world population in 2010 lived in extreme poverty (earning about $1.25 per day)(World Bank Poverty Overview, 2014). Where does that electricity come from? With electricity usage increasing 20%, we'll have to burn that many more fossil fuels which increases global warming contributing to extreme weather conditions. So that's not the answer. So what if everyone stops using fossil fuels? We can no longer drive cars, use telephones or computers or even turn on a light. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that wouldn't be a smart idea. So are we doomed no matter what?
I believe the answer to our problems would be to focus more resources on clean energy. If there would be a way to power technology without burning fossil fuels, it would be possible to eradicate many of the world's difficulties at once. That would be my wish.
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