Global Environment Issues - root cause

Like everyone, from time to time I need to get something off my chest, hypothetically speaking.

There is plenty of information proving that in recent history the global climate is warmer. At least it is where I live. I will argue with no one that greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have increased. It is a fact that more fossil fuels are in use today and their use will continue to rise. And, let's not forget that petroleum is used not only for gas, but for plastic bottles, clothing material, plastic bags and other products that have become part of most humans everyday life.

There are more asphalt rooftops, asphalt parking lots and roads that radiate heat back into the atmosphere. We continue to rely on an expanding economy to supply our need for more stuff, and more domesticated land to feed and house the ever increasing number of people on this planet. There is also an ever increasing number of domesticated cattle putting methane into the atmosphere.

So, I have asked myself, what is the common thread in all of this? Why is the climate warmer today? Why are many of our environments in distress? I submit that greenhouse gases, cattle, rooftops and parking lots are a cause, but not the root cause. I submit that it is because of the number of people that need food and shelter. And, that the only way to keep all of these people comfortable is to use the technologies that currently contribute to the greenhouse gases and the destruction of our natural environment.

One might argue that if we had better, planet friendly technology we could solve this problem. I think our problem is bigger than that. I believe we have a population problem. And I'm doubtful that our technology will expand in time to stay clean and also service the world population. So I have come to the conclusion that too many humans on this planet is the "root cause" of our environmental issues.

Well that's easy for me to say, right! "Just how do you propose to fix that?", one might ask. I think I'll save this subject for another post. But, here is some food for thought. We might start by incenting people to have less children rather than incenting them to have more.

I promise my next post will be more upbeat. I'll write something about planning my next outdoor adventure.