While we may argue about the effect of the human population on climate change, it seems very unlikely to me that even more people will be beneficial. We burn vast amounts of fossil fuel - even more as third world countries become 'developed' - and at the same time chop down the forests that might help limit the damage.
I cannot speak for the SA or EU, but in the Sacramento valley and here in the Midwest its actually been great. The valley area in CA is a DANG desert without the almonds and other crops. Some fools would argue for some desert flowers and jackrabbits, but the real truth is they took a desert and turned it into a food producing region, using snow runoff from the mountains.
If you ever work up to at trip, you're in for a real treat on human engineering, and a fool if you can't see it.
Much of that is true here in the Midwest. We take millions of acres of nothing and feed the world. Blackbirds, geese, deer and all other wild animals benefit greatly. More deer and coyotes here than there ever were before farming.
Across the US this is true. From the Millions of geese and ducks and (I just saw my first huge flock of trumpeter swans, about 1000 birdsin a CA rice paddy) and Sandhill cranes that winter in the valley. To the billions of robins and blackbirds, (yes billions) that call the central plains home. In the 30's-40's ducks and geese wintered in the south coastal areas. Now days there is so much food left on the ground they stop short in the freeze line hire in Kansas and Oklahoma areas.
Here in the US for the most part wildlife benefits. Yes there are a few losers. Medowlarks and prarie chickens come to mind. But overall it’s a winning situation. To deny that is foolish and just plain wrong. We grow food that benefits humans and animals in astounding numbers.
I am not Man enough to argue population control. Those are big shoes. I agree that a lot of people shouldn't breed, but unfortunately with our current socialist systems worldwide, the people who shouldn't breed are precisely the ones who are!
But I digress that’s a different point than the miracle that is modern agriculture here in the US, and many other places. Its why you can afford strawberries in jan, Why rice is a staple instead of a treat.
Here in the USA 15% of our land feeds all of us, and a good portion of the rest of the world. Only about 1% of that is used for crops like strawberries, carrots, lettuce and such. The remainder of it goes to livestock, pets and bye products. Heck dogs eat better than our great grandparents did.....thats modern AG.
With the help of Chemistry, genetics, and Mechanical Engineering we pull more food from an acre of ground than our grandparents ever dreamed of. Some here are discussing genetic bottlenecks, complaining about lack of diversity like it’s a huge issue. In Crops its not even close. So what if 90% of the rice is one breed?? We planned it that way. The others have problems such as no yields cold suitability and other things we find undesirable. Just like our Africanized bees. Most if us find their traits to be less than desirable, and go way out of our way to get rid of them......
Sorry getting off track again!
Charles
***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
