observer Posted December 9, 2009 Report Share Posted December 9, 2009 David Attenborough with another quality prog (BBC2); examining the question of over-population of the planet - interesting to discover that the population of the world is now increasing at the rate of 200,000 per day, the equivalent of Warrington's population EVERY DAY. So how can mankind halt this reproductive explosion, which will no doubt exceed the resource capability of the planet, and incite population movement and confrontation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 well so far they have tried aids, bird flu and swine flu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted December 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 That's the problem, these clever humans keep making vaccines etc to combat the earth's natural tendency to cull numbers; so over the last 200 years mortality rates have decreased leading to an exponential rise in population. In theory, if food/land production were distributed equally; everyone should have around 2 hectares of land each; in Africa they have half this, in the US four times this. However, population growth will be greater in those areas LEAST able to sustain it; hence Afghanistan's population will double (which is perhaps a good arguement for the war!); whilst West Africa's will treble; and coincidentally, both areas are the main origins of current migrations (under lorries) to the UK - so, no surprise that the UKs population is destined to increase too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Yes Observer but the clever bacteria keeps mutating - we shall die off soon enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 So a single celled organism might turn out to be capable of solving a problem that the worlds best brains can?t Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted December 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Those organism may be assisted by the Drug Companies or by Government bio-chemistry Depts?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 Those organism may be assisted by the Drug Companies or by Government bio-chemistry Depts?! Correct!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted December 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 Interesting that the Company that produces Tamiflu, has made ?billions in sales over the past year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted December 12, 2009 Report Share Posted December 12, 2009 These people have a license to print money. The actual production costs are low, but the excuse is that they are recouping their investment and trial costs. How many noughts they add on depends on what they can get away with. The price doesn't come down until the license expires and anyone can produce the stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
safeway56 Posted December 12, 2009 Report Share Posted December 12, 2009 When Attenborough produced his birth figure did he take into account the number of people who die every day ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted December 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2009 Presumably so, as these figures are (net) increases in population levels - that's the main problem, folk arn't dying of disease etc like they used to - historically child mortality rates were a natural constraint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
safeway56 Posted December 12, 2009 Report Share Posted December 12, 2009 It seems Mr Attenborough might be a little astray with his figures. From sources taken from Google there are between 200-216,000 births daily and approximately 155,000 deaths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted December 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2009 So even on those figures, we have a daily increase of 50,000 - no cause for complacency methinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 People in very poor countries tend to have large families they rely on them in there old age, it's a kind of old age pension. And lets not forget the catholic church if you are talking population increase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 People in very poor countries tend to have large families they rely on them in there old age Loo you are talking utter bollix, they can't look after them at every age. Perhaps you should tell them what is causing their large families and if that doesn't work take your scissors or a large sharp knife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 eagle if you have lots of children even if some die the likely hood is that some will survive to look after you in your old age Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted December 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 The problem is, that in the third world, there are insufficient resources to feed extra mouths - hence nature deals with it by regular famines. In the developed world; where we generally over-consume, there is an obsession with longevity, irrespective of the quality of those lives we are extending, hence old folks homes full of demented folk being kept alive at an increasing cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 agreed Obs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted December 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 Kyje: remember that when/if you get dementia! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LymmParent Posted December 14, 2009 Report Share Posted December 14, 2009 So where are you heading with this, Obs? Wipe out the demented elderly to balance the books? Might find yourself on the wrong end of that one!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted December 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2009 But I wouldn't know about it - would I? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LymmParent Posted December 14, 2009 Report Share Posted December 14, 2009 Ah but Obs, you are definitely living in another decade, you can't get the PM's name right and you keep mistaking me for Anne Robinson. You make saucy remarks and keep winking in public. I think we could get you diagnosed now..... Is there a Doctor in the house?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted December 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2009 No probs - tis you who will be taking the walk of shame before I do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted December 15, 2009 Report Share Posted December 15, 2009 Obs If you can remember what your symptoms were, let me know and I will check Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted December 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2009 I got drawn into trivia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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