I have a comment or two regarding world affairs.
I maintain that we need to adopt a model based on biology. Continuous economic growth is not possible, as is true of the growth of a population.
Eventually a maximum “carrying capacity” is reached in nature, and then the forces of starvation, disease and other factors trim the population.
So it is with economics.
At the present time we humans are far above our natural carrying capacity.
We are only able to support our present population using the energy and wealth obtained from the acquisition of fossil fuels.
Yes, it all comes down to energy. All of our food is grown and produced at great energy expense and we are seeing the effects of the uneven distribution of this energy source.
In the old days, when a country such as England ran out of resources, they would simply engage in a voyage of conquest.
I do not mean to belittle the English. Their conquests shaped the world as we know it.
However, we now see unrest in many nations. Economies are failing quite simply because there are simply too many of us to feed, clothe and assure a good life to.
I fear that social unrest and maybe conflict between the have-nots and the haves is the long-term outcome, and there’s not a single thing that even the best-intentioned politician can do about it.
We are at carrying capacity and the laws of nature will come into effect. Eventually, inevitably.
David Mathias
Red Deer