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What's an acceptable world population? [W:48]

What's an acceptable world population?


  • Total voters
    25
  • Poll closed .
Don't know.
But the thing I do know, is that they use stagnant water ponds to produce it.

This is the company.
Sapphire Energy, Inc.

So far it's less than one, i.e. it requires more energy to produce it than it returns to us.

The Energy Return on Investment for Algal Biocrude: Results for a Research Production Facility

Therefore, although the EROI for algal fuels might remain less than one in the foreseeable future, algae represent one of the most promising petroleum fuel substitutes, particularly for high-energy density fuels, such as aviation fuel. Therefore, although large-scale algal biofuel production remains quite challenging, algal fuels have the potential to satisfy some of these niche markets.

Interesting stuff, but not time to celebrate yet.
 
So far it's less than one, i.e. it requires more energy to produce than it returns to us.

http://www.utexas.edu/research/cem/IEEE/Beal_EROIAlgae_BioEnergyResearch_OnlineFirst.pdf

Right, but it's in the infancy phase, although they've successfully produced it.
It doesn't take away the fact, that solutions are being brought up all the time.

You can't predict a collapse like that, because you aren't aware of all technology in development.
At best, it's grasping at straws.
 
Right, but it's in the infancy phase, although they've successfully produced it.
It doesn't take away the fact, that solutions are being brought up all the time.

It won't ever be a solution in any sense of the word unless/until the EROEI rises to significantly above 1. As that study points out, this could be a mighty challenge.

You can't predict a collapse like that, because you aren't aware of all technology in development. At best, it's grasping at straws.

I'm not predicting a collapse in specific terms the way doomsday theorists do. I admit the possibility of a miraculous energy discovery, but I also admit the possibility that no such source of energy exists. If there's no such thing as an oil replacement, then all the attention and concentration in the world on finding one is futile.
 
No we're not remotely close.
There is plenty of freely usable agriculture land across the world.

New growing techniques have reduced the amount of land needed and increased the yield per plant.
We're fine, Malthusian collapse, at this point, is junk science.

I think we might be able to float another billion or so with our current model. after that, we will probably have to start getting creative.
 
I think we might be able to float another billion or so with our current model. after that, we will probably have to start getting creative.

Science usually does all the creative, without us realizing it.
It's hard for people to see the trees when they think only about the forest.
 
I don't see how there is any way to ethically calculate this. Even worse, even if it can be calculated, if it requires a population decrease, it's going to take some intense evil to get rid of a few billion.
 
I don't see how there is any way to ethically calculate this. Even worse, even if it can be calculated, if it requires a population decrease, it's going to take some intense evil to get rid of a few billion.

Not really, just time and having fewer children on average. Or do you think that's intense evil?
 
Not really, just time and having fewer children on average. Or do you think that's intense evil?

so long as its not forced on them, its ok. But generally, bringing societies up to western culture will do that for us.
 
so long as its not forced on them, its ok. But generally, bringing societies up to western culture will do that for us.

I'm pretty sure it will, as people grow richer, they tend to have less children.
Why?
Because they don't have to worry about them dying, like they did before they were rich.
They invest in 1-3 kids, instead of 8, hoping 1 or 2 survive.
 
I'm pretty sure it will, as people grow richer, they tend to have less children.
Why?
Because they don't have to worry about them dying, like they did before they were rich.
They invest in 1-3 kids, instead of 8, hoping 1 or 2 survive.

Another reason is that reliance on "retirement" funds, public or private, has largely replaced the job of supporting parents by their children. The common use of "outside" labor to run farms and small businesses is another factor to be considered.
 
It depends on the nature of the question.

If it is personal preference I would like to see a world population of about 30 million. This way a person could live a largely isolated life but still have human contact if they wished it. It would also mean our impact on the environment would be greatly diminished.


If it is all about just what we can support I say a lot more. We could support a lot more people if we were willing to sacrifice some of our individualism in the name of efficiency.
 
I do not know.
Man is , IMO, basically a social animal, and he must work on his intolerance, hatred and fear before we can have too many more...
 
Your poll does not include options such as 10 billion, or 15 billion, or 40 billion.

With sufficiently advanced technology we could support that many, especially since most people live in cities these days anyway.

Personally I don't think we'll ever get much above 10 billion. Trends show population stablizing if not going into decline in most advanced nations.
As other nations reach a certain level of development their pop growth will go into decline also.

The alleged "population problem" will almost certainly fix itself.
I've been hearing cries for population control, for so long, that the thought of listing anything above what we have now seemed pointless. Not once have I heard someone say "The World needs more people in it".
 
I disprove of any malthusian concept of "acceptable" world population, bar one exception. I think the only people who are "extra" on the face of the planet are the malthusians.
 
I've been hearing cries for population control, for so long, that the thought of listing anything above what we have now seemed pointless. Not once have I heard someone say "The World needs more people in it".

The world needs more people in it. Declining birth rates are going to lead to a demographic crisis.
 
What's an acceptable world population?

If you want to talk about population models, this is hardly the place.

In any case, there is no "acceptable world population", seeing that there's loss and gain at all stages of growth.
 

Exactly

Eugenic PO ****S

No Good Bastards, Every One

But They Won't Put A Bullet On Their Brain Stems

Will They ??

Their Lives Are Just Too Damn Important To The Growth Of Man
 
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If you want to talk about population models, this is hardly the place.

In any case, there is no "acceptable world population", seeing that there's loss and gain at all stages of growth.

That is what the thread is about, so why wouldn't this be the place?
 
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I'm not worried. We have an annual global food surplus, that could sustain twice the current population.

Of course millions will starve regardless for lack of profitability, but that's another story.
 
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I Have A Real Big Problem With People That
Think The Human Race Needs To Be Restricfted

That's All I Have To Say
Moderator
 
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