UK Government Scientist: Global crisis 'to strike by 2030' -- a 'Perfect Storm'

[steven johnson]

The UK government chief scientist has warned that demand for food and energy will jump 50% by 2030 and for fresh water by 30%, as the population tops 8.3 billion in 2030. This demand for resources will create a crisis with dire consequences, Prof John Beddington said. "It's a perfect storm," Professor Beddington told the Sustainable Development UK 09 conference. The United Nations predicts widespread water shortages across Africa, Europe and Asia by 2025.

Professor Beddington is urging the development of new technologies to address these impending problems

Global crisis 'to strike by 2030'

[amitten]

1. There's something I've learned about gloom-n-doom science.

It's usually way too extreme. Bad things happen, sure, but it's almost never as bad as science predicts.

I always use my global warming example. I read once in a paper in Kansas that scientists were certain that by the year 2000, almost all prairie land in Kansas would have turned to desert from rising temps.

Obviously, it hasn't turned out that way...

[soothsayer]

2. besides, we'll have our flying cars and sooooo much leisure time

[Kip Humphrey]

3. Might I suggest global birth control?