The six natural resources most drained by our 7 billion people

[phantom power]

With 7 billion people on the planet – theoretically from today – there will be an inevitable increase in the demand on the world's natural resources. Here are six already under severe pressure from current rates of consumption:

1. Water
2. Oil
3. Natural Gas
4. Phosphorous
5. Coal
6. Rare Earth Elements

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2011/oct/31/six-natural-resources-population?newsfeed=true

[RC]

1. But, but, but, we are at the top of the food chain. The Earth can feed 10, 14 billion

of us easy. Just plow up Africa and plant food crops. We are already filling valleys with mountain tops. We can build lots of houses there. That helps right? All life is sacred.
:wtf: :grr: :scared::banghead::mad: :puke::eyes:

[stuntcat]

3. and everyone could fit so comfortably into Texas!

I'm staying quiet online today, this 7-billion milestone day. The more I said the crazier I'd sound to the proud Humans.

I can express it just as well with emoticons: :puke: :mad: :puke: :mad: :puke: :scared: :scared: :scared: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: If this seems ridiculous, it's even more ridiculous to me that people accept what's happening and even give the rest of the century to their children.

[Gregorian]

2. Thank you for caring. And posting.

I'm sure this offends most people, even on this supposedly progressive forum.

I don't expect things to change. Not enough to avoid the disaster that is unfolding.

[Nihil]

4. It's the first four that are the real concern

> 1. Water

>> The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations is predicting that
>> by 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute
>> water scarcity

(That's "billion" with a "b")


> 2. Oil

>> The BP Statistical Review of World Energy in June measured total global oil
>> at 188.8 million tonnes, from proved oil resources at the end of 2010.
>> This is only enough to oil for the next 46.2 years, should global production
>> remain at the current rate.


> 3. Natural Gas

>> A similar picture to oil exists for natural gas, with enough gas in proven
>> reserves to meet 58.6 years of global production at the end of 2010.


> 4. Phosphorous

>> Without this element, plants cannot grow.
>> ... we could run out of phosphorus in 50 to 100 years


Now read those bits again after substituting the current exponential growth
pattern instead of their happy assumptions of linear global production.