Global ecosystems 'face collapse'

Current global consumption levels could result in a large-scale ecosystem collapse by the middle of the century, environmental group WWF has warned.

The group's biannual Living Planet Report said the natural world was being degraded "at a rate unprecedented in human history".

Terrestrial species had declined by 31% between 1970-2003, the findings showed. It warned that if demand continued at the current rate, two planets would be needed to meet global demand by 2050.

The biodiversity loss was a result of resources being consumed faster than the planet could replace them, the authors said.

They added that if the world's population shared the UK's lifestyle, three planets would be needed to support their needs.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6077798.stm

And as every American™ knows, that is of paramount importance.

</sarcasm>

What is sad is that people actually think that if our eco-system collapses it won't affect them. Living in an artificial world, people have long since lost any notion that their fortune is tied to the planet's. Oceans over-fished? We'll just farm-raise our fish. Skies polluted? Wear a mask. Water running out? Buy bottled water.

In "Collapse" Jared Diamond mused if an Easter Islander paused for thought as they chopped down the last tree. What will cause the modern man to pause in thought?

The king has proclaimed that the American lifestyle is not negotiable, and that settles that. By royal proclamation the ecosystem must continue to support us. So it it written, so shall it be.

waterboarded to bring them back into line.

You VILL obey Der Fuhrer!

I'm sure we can contract it out to Halliburton.....:toast: