People and Nature

Abstract

The use of science and technology has allowed Homo sapiens to become the dominant species of planet Earth, but this has led to the population explosion with all its dire consequences – here reviewed. What matters is the size of the population in proportion to the space and resources available. As the natural environment has become degraded and resources become more scarce the number of poor and disadvantaged will increase; the best hope is to stabilise the world population. The essential needs of mankind – water, food, forests – are nearing their limits, marine life is overexploited and an uncontrolled killing of certain species for luxury items and an undesirable excess of tourism are threatening wildlife. A grave discontinuity has arisen, which has now led to almost insoluble problems.