| | | Forecast for the Planet

From WikiVerde

Climate

There are definitely climate changes that have occurred in the short run, however not all countries agree on the need for legislation to be put in place. The United States is the major world power that has resisted mandatory controls on the amount of greenhouse emissions which is being blamed for global warming and the greenhouse effect. The most basic cautions raised by weather scientists include super hurricanes, collapsing ice caps at the poles and coastlines underwater. These changes in climate can have far reaching effects in the climate conditions throughout the world including the ability to grow food and to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Population Control

The forecast for world population growth shows a major shift in the world population and national population mix by the year 2050. Significant differences in the balance of power between nations would be the result of the continued growth in population amongst the thirteen nations with the largest population growth at present and the results would be unfavorable to the balance of power between those opposed to and those supportive of the United States policies. Some of the major organizations that are strongly in favor of governmental mandates for population control include the Sierra Club, the National Audubon Society and the Population Research Institute. The countries of China and Iran, have sharply reduced the birth rate thus slowing the population growth in recent years.

Water

Clean and available drinking water is a prime factor for a healthy environment. Unfortunately, the availability of water is not consistent even among the large powerful nations of the world. Amongst the poorer countries, the population tends to be concentrated in areas where there is water. Modern technology has made a difference in the ability to deliver water to smaller areas, thanks to such advances as solar power, portable drilling equipment and improved processes for desalination and pumping equipment. Methods of purification of less than acceptable water quality have improved the health of many third world countries.

Energy

While the cost of fossil fuels has continued to increase in the United States and other first world countries, the availability has leveled off or decreased. In other words, the stores of oil are not keeping pace with the increasing demand for such products. The good news is that there are now increasing numbers of renewable energy alternatives that are profitable to produce and develop. Even in the most remote third world locations, electrical power is now available thanks to solar power or wind power equipment. The energy from solar panels or from solar concentrators alone has enough potential to supply the world with power at its present level.

Natural Resources

Although there are vast deposits of mineral resources in various nations, the necessary resources to supply the standard of living in the more developed countries of the world are not evenly distributed throughout the countries that need and use them at the highest level. The lack of oil reserves, for example in some countries has led to wars and territorial aggression by some countries against others throughout the history of mankind. This is unlikely to change, particularly when the more developed countries such as the United States regard the usage of natural resources at a higher level than the rest of the world to be a type of ordained right.

Air Quality

There has been a concerted effort in some countries and cities to clean up the quality of the air. The state of California, for example closely regulates automobile emissions each year. Other areas also call for yearly inspections for automobile exhaust which is required to meet certain standards. Factories and manufacturing plants typically are moving in the direction of better control of release of particulates into the atmosphere. In many cities, an effort to plant a green belt or green areas adds to the beautification of the city and to the purification or filtration of the air at the same time.

Health

In many ways the health of the world is getting better. Infant mortality rates are down worldwide; there is more opportunity for the poor to receive minimum health care, at least in the United States. Still, the cost of health care continues to increase with insurance payments for basic health care climbing to record heights. Medications are also increasing and the drug coverage for senior citizens is confusing to some of the people who most need its coverage. Socialized medicine has been touted in countries such as Canada and other parts of the world, but so far has not seen much support in the United States. Many citizens in the border states of both Canada and Mexico cross the border for health care either for better availability or for better prices. There are some diseases that are being eliminated almost worldwide, but new strains of killer diseases are still a serious threat to world health.

Quality of Life

Since people are usually somewhat optimistic about the future, there are those who would paint or believe in a rosy picture of the future. The fact remains that the environment is in serious danger, and it may be too late to reverse the trend leading to disasters both in the natural world and in the populated world. Natural disasters place a strain upon the preparedness systems and plans of even the most civilized nations, and the earth seems to be suffering more than the typical number of disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, and storms of violent nature.