Nature vs Nurture (Part 9) – Summary – Pros or Cons?
Pros or Cons?
We have seen how the human population remains fixed in between a ‘rock and a hard place’ trying to deal with the challenges brought by rapid population growth and yet as new technologies are introduced to deal with those issues the
E.F. Schumacher said “First, we must decide what we really think – we seem to have trouble doing this! Next, what do we applaud and what do we detest? Then look for the pioneers in these things and join them.”
| Issue | An example of the technologies being used in an attempt to solve the issue | Have we solved the real issue? |
| Energy | The ‘Gemasolar’ Project (www.torresolenergy.com) requires 185 hectares of land for infrastructure but produces power for 30,000 24 hours a day. The more of these we need the more environmental impact/land use. | |
| Water | It is expected that industry and pollution will accumulate at the commercial points along the South to North China Pipeline. Each province is required to create a company to manage the water resource as it passes through the area. This water will improve food production in North China. | |
| Food | It is feared that the gene which allows GM crops to survive and yield in previously intolerable conditions will transfer to weed species, creating ‘super weeds’ and increasing the need for herbicide application. Article: The Guardian UK | |
| Food | First we sourced insulin from animals, then propagated it through bacteria, now we grow plants with the inserted insulin gene to meet the increasing demand of the diabetes explosion. Increased potential for cropping through GM modification will lead to increased clearing and use of marginal land resources. |
Ultimately we will have to choose sustainability over growth to survive, with population a key factor. We can act in future when compelled by dire need, or choose science and common sense now to live gracefully.
“Wisdom demands a new orientation of science and technology toward the organic, the gentle, the elegant and beautiful.”
― E.F. Schumacher, Small Is Beautiful: Economics as If People Mattered