I doubt that Charles believes that "each and every human" has no regard for the environment. After all, he works with, and is involved with many organizations and individuals that do, indeed, have a great concern and do very much care for the environment.
Unfortunately, there are many that don't, for a variety of reasons, be it ignorance or by intention. And each of those aspects and attitudes need to be tackled and resolved.
I believe it is the fact that these numbers are increasing, as the situation rapidly worsens, that has prompted Charles to speak out more urgently on the subject.
Let's not forget that it was only about 80 years ago that the estimated world population was about 2 billion. We now have a world population in excess of 6 BILLION !!
That's some going, considering the fact that it took about 130 years, from about 1800 to 1930, for the world population to increase by only 1 BILLION.
Much of that rapid increase had to do with the discovery of oil which gave us a powerful and readily available source of energy as well as the by-products of plastics and numerous other synthetic products. This energy, and the mechanization that came with it, has enabled us to turn vast amounts of the earth's surface into food producing areas which has, in turn, enabled us to support that ever-increasing population.
And that vast and ever-increasing population now consumes more than 40% of the world's NPP (Net Primary Productivity), which is the measure of the sum total of food and energy available to all species.
We also now consume more than 50% of the planet's available fresh water.
And at the current population growth rate it's estimated that we would hit 10 BILLION people in about the year 2030 !!
Now I don't know about you, but I have serious concerns as to how much more of us this planet can adequately support, ..... going forward. |
