Human population growth vs. wildlife conservation continued

[DavidBrown]

Another in what seems to be a series of Washington Post articles about the challenges facing human civilization regarding population size. This article specifically focuses on the ecological challenges of population growth:
Population growth taxing planet’s resources - The Washington Post

 

[Zooplantman]

And for those ZooChatter who may not be sure they "get it", here's a cool site to see what the human population was on any date. Try your birthday. Then try your Mom or Dad's birthdate. Fun for the whole growing family!

How big was the world's population when you were born? | Environment | guardian.co.uk

 

[nanoboy]

National Geographic has a series this year about our population reaching 7 billion. Definitely worth a read.

Population 7 Billion - Pictures, More From National Geographic magazine

 

[DavidBrown]

The UN is designating Monday October 31 7 Billion People Day

Article in LA Times: World population hits 7 billion on Oct. 31, or thereabouts - latimes.com

 

[DavidBrown]

An article directly about wildlife extinction and human population growth:
10 Species Our Population Explosion Will Likely Kill Off | Endangered Species from Ferrets to Coral | Life's Little Mysteries

 

[jbnbsn99]

And this is why I won't have children. Also, women don't like me.

 

[snowleopard]

And this is why I won't have children. Also, women don't like me.

My friend, you work in a zoo. The majority of zookeepers are women. You practically live at the zoo that you work at, and some of the female keepers or general workers there must be single. Bingo! (Just impress them with your knowledge of hoofstock!)

 

[DavidBrown]

An interesting article from the New York Times on why major conservation groups don't work on population control projects:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/01/s...opulation-growth.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=all

 

[Jurek7]

(Just impress them with your knowledge of hoofstock!)

Agreed. Taking a girl to pet some cute animal is the surest way to win her! And you can impress her with your love for animal in your charge, that you will be just as caring father.

 

[Jurek7]

why major conservation groups don't work on population control projects:

Because second thought, and you realize that giving away condoms in USA doesn't help overpopulation in Nigeria and Madagascar at all. And, because of human lifespan, population will start falling only after 60 years - so the pressure on Earth's resources needs to be dealt beforehand. And Europe and USA could preserve both high population and (some) wildlife...

 

[Stefka]

I would highly recommend BBC documentary movie How Many People Can Live on Planet Earth? by David Attenborough.

You can watch it online here:
How Many People Can Live on Planet Earth? | Watch Free Documentary Online

It´s a great movie (oh well, like everything he does, right?) and it´s all about how growing population affects wildlife in different parts of the world and our planet in general.

 

[Stefka]

Even more on David Attenborough´s view on overpopulation - I´ve just discovered this fantastic speech of his: People and Planet: Speech only. - YouTube

Man, I love this guy! Everyone is scared to even think about it and he´s not affraid to say it all out loud!

(If you´re brave enough to read the comments under the video, you can see how unpopular the overpopulation issue is)

 

[Saola]

A special feature in Nature about Planetary boundaries:

Specials : Nature

http://www.stockholmresilience.org/download/18.8615c78125078c8d3380002197/ES-2009-3180.pdf

Biodiversity loss possibly even more serious than climate change:
UN warns biodiversity loss poses greater business risk than climate change - 13 Jul 2010 - News from BusinessGreen
Is Climate Change the Most Serious Environmental Threat We Face?


Earth overshoot day (the day of each year where humanity starts using more than the Earth can sustainably provide):

http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/earth_overshoot_day/


and a cartoon...

http://www.margaretwille.com/home/images/28.jpg

 

[Stefka]

Saola, I think there is no need for more links or discussion - the cartoon says it all Hillarious, I´m sending it everyone I know