What Are The Geophysical Consequences Of An Increasing Human Population?

[StringJunky]

The topic of this was inspired by the thread on overpopulation but its content is overwhelmingly ethical/political in nature. The intent of this thread is to be based on hard science and thus research references must be cited, as befits this forum category, if requested and no ethical or political considerations are to be brought to this discussion.

 

What effects, potential or actual, are we having on the Earth's natural mechanisms and resources?

Edited July 18, 2011 by StringJunky

[Dekan]

The topic of this was inspired by the thread on overpopulation but its content is overwhelmingly ethical/political in nature. The intent of this thread is to be based on hard science and thus research references must be cited, as befits this forum category, if requested and no ethical or political considerations are to be brought to this discussion.

 

What effects, potential or actual, are we having on the Earth's natural mechanisms and resources?

 

As the human population increases, more of the Earth's biomass, will be used to make human bodies. So there'll be less biomass available, to make non-human bodies - ie the bodies of other animals and plants.

 

So I conclude: More humans means fewer other, non-human, animals (and plants).

 

I can't cite the demanded reference source for this conclusion, but it seems bleeding obvious.

[charles brough]

As the human population increases, more of the Earth's biomass, will be used to make human bodies. So there'll be less biomass available, to make non-human bodies - ie the bodies of other animals and plants.

 

So I conclude: More humans means fewer other, non-human, animals (and plants).

 

I can't cite the demanded reference source for this conclusion, but it seems bleeding obvious.

 

Sure, but let's elaborate a little. It has been observed that small social group animals such as ourselves (being evolved as hunter-gatherers), split up when they reach a population density that exceeds what is optimal to that species. Now, however you might want me describe what goes on in the animal to cause it to split. Alright, other animals begin dying of stress when their numbers exceed their norm, so, let us say that small group primates, such as we feel increasing stress when our "group" exceeds what is "normal."

 

"But we do not live any longer in hunting-gathering size groups" you might say. That is true, but we most certainly could not have biologially evolved the group/territory nature out of us in a mere 100,000 years or less. It is still there. We have circumvented it only by developing language to create ideology (such as Islam, Marxist East Asia's ism and Christendom) and enable us feel the same sense of community we felt in the group while living in nations and huge nation groups we can call "societies.

"

However, when the ideological system breaks down into a mass of diverse sects and faiths, its ability to serve its function declines. The result is a growth of stress.

 

I could go on and carry this further, explaining more, but is anyone interested?

[Ophiolite]

However, when the ideological system breaks down into a mass of diverse sects and faiths, its ability to serve its function declines. The result is a growth of stress.

 

I could go on and carry this further, explaining more, but is anyone interested?

That appears to be addressing the political/ethical areas that you declared were off-topic for this thread, so unless you want to ask to have this moved out of Earth Science I have no wish to discuss those points at all. (And probably not even then.)

 

As to your original point:

 

The largest current geophysical effect of human activities is global warming. This will have pronounced effects not only on climate, sea levels and oceanic circulation, but consequently upon the type and location of sedimentation.

 

Human use of resources has caused a substantial redistribution of certain elements. However, that's geochemistry, not geophysics, so I guess you don't want to consider that. Or the redcution in biodiversity, which is clearly not geophysical, but will certainly impact the careers of palaeontologists in twenty million years time.

[Dave World]

One other effect that should not need a documentary reference is the pollution brought about by extraction of substances from Earth's crust. The processes of extraction, the substances themselves, the byproducts of processing said substances, and use of processed materials all add to the burden upon this planet. How humans change the climate is a matter of dispute to lay people, a confusion deliberately brought about, it seems, by social forces. Actual documentation of the changes, fortunately, continues. A big question that concerns me is, will we unleash through our generation of greenhouse gasses the release of methane substrates? And, would this be a runaway process with publicly unforeseen consequences? Lastly, to what extent will increasing vulcanism complicate the previously mentioned concerns?

Edited August 8, 2011 by Dave World