Submit Final Draft: Writing Project #1 - The Project Proposal
The problem
Overpopulation is already taking its toll on our planet and, we can feel it in our everyday lives, especially in big cosmopolitan cities where the tendency is always to aggregate big numbers of people. Although this is a worldwide problem, it also affects, of course, my community. Apart from the depletion of the ozone layer which is causing the “average temperature on Earth to increase by about 0.8° Celsius since 1880,” according to scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, I must turn my attention to the overpopulation factor, not only with its effects on global warming but also demanding more from a planet that is already giving us more than he can. There is the notion that Earth can give food for about 11 billion people, but if the tendency is for the numbers of inhabitants to rise, what then? Exigency Procrastinating will only add to a situation already giving us signs which we better not ignore. There is the exigency of action right now, to secure the future of the ones to come and maintain the hope in the heart of humans. The installed optimism dictates that, by changing our consumption habits, the planet will be able to sustain about 11 billion people in 2116, according to United Nations predictions. However, the tendency is the rising of the numbers of population, therefore, what if we think in terms of 200 years or even more? Also, there is the question of employment. Our technological development is in an accelerated mode. The changing is being felt almost every day by the galloping findings and results we are made aware of. This thirst for a technological world is already taking a toll on the work force, as a machine takes over the jobs of humans. How do we build the future? The late Carl Sagan played an important role trying to make us understand that our planet is an insignificant “Pale Blue Dot,” lost in a corner of the Milky Way Galaxy. This awareness, created by his book with the same title, automatically forced me to think about the size of our planet which will continue to be the same, while in existence in our solar system. With this in mind, other aspects of life assaulted my spirit: How about water, food and energy? Hence the kairotic moment to address the situation is now because 100 years by universe standards is a hiccup. Audience In my view, all the people should be interested in the status quo of the planet and make an effort in any way they can to help. Therefore, my audition is not only the components of my community, but also any rational living being that loves a planet they call home. As to the groups or stakeholders, the research would affect the optimist in a certain different way from the pessimistic with, I believe, opposing results. These, let us call them, two groups, are constituted by thinkers and scientists, who I consider to be the elements that can make a difference in the public opinion. Reducing consumption habits are the solution to some. However, the process is very slow and it might not give us enough time to achieve expected results, because: a) Changing mentalities and traditions has been a challenging and timely process with ups and downs along the way. b) Technological development will have a contrary action towards achieving those results. Even if we are successful in passing the message and really change the way we think about this issue, the exponential substitution of humans by machines will be of the utmost importance, at least, when the world exceeds the barrier of the 11 billion people. Potential audience Now, even if we are successful in changing the way people around the world think, the technological fate dictates that it is always going forward and we do not foresee a chance for slowing down. Therefore, while mentalities might change, technological development will not, thus generating an obstacle of serious proportions. Moreover, the speed with which our voyage into the future is taking place, might very well disclose the reality of an even bigger problem of inequality, than the one we have today. Methodology Mainly I propose to discover more about this issue through Google Scholar and Literature on this subject from several origins. This two options seem to be appropriate because by using Google Scholar, I avoid running the risk of misinformation and minimize the error. As to the literature, it should be accredited papers and or books on the subject of my research. Ref. NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies BBC (Cumming 2016) United Nations Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot Will Stephen, Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University |
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How do we survive the shrinking of our planet?
(Draft #1)
(Draft #1)
The problem:
It appears that the concerns about overpopulation are not addressing this issue because of the installed optimism which dictates that, by changing our consumption habits, the planet will be able to sustain about 11 billion people in 2116, according to United Nations predictions. However, the tendency is the rising of the numbers of population, therefore, what if we think in terms of 200 years or even more? Also, there is the question of employment. Our technological development is in an accelerated mode. The changing is being felt almost everyday by the galloping findings and results we are made aware of. This thirst for a technological world is already taking a toll on the work force, as a machine takes over the jobs of human beings. How do we build the future? The late Carl Sagan played an important role trying to make us understand that our planet is an insignificant “Pale Blue Dot,” lost in a corner of the Milky Galaxy. This awareness, created by his book with the same title, automatically forced my mind to think about the size of our planet which will continue to be the same, while in existence in our solar system. With this in mind, other aspects of life assaulted my spirit: How about water, food and energy? I was facing a difficult problem, trying to find an answer to the future of humankind. Exigency: Now, although the optimistic thinking allows us space for a relaxed state of mind as to the available sustain resources that the Earth provides for the future, even with a population of 11 billion people, it seems that we cannot afford to think in chunks of 100 years but rather larger periods of time. Will Stephen, an emeritus professor with the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University, finds that “it is not the rise in population by itself that is the problem, but rather the even more rapid rise in global consumption.” I certainly understand that the global consumption is on the rise. However, that will continue to be an important factor in the future, as more people will raise the number of our human family. If by the year 2,100 the population rises to 11 billion, what would the population be in 3,000? Shall we confine ourselves to the immediate future and how to band aid it? The fact that we are consuming 1.5 times more than Earth can give us, and the emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases are a proof of that, indicates that the path for disaster is installed. Reducing consumption habits are the solution to some. However, the process is very slow and it might not give us enough time to achieve expected results, because: a) Changing mentalities and tradition has been a challenging and timely process with ups and downs along the way. b) Technological development will have a contrary action towards achieving those results. Potential audience: Now, even if we are successful in changing the way people around the world think, the technological fate dictates that it is always going forward. Therefore, mentalities and development will not change, thus generating opposing forces. Moreover, the speed with which our voyage into the future is taking place, might very well disclose the unnecessary work of humans in favor of machines and we know today that this is a fact, when a technical device does the work of several people already. Stakeholders: I believe that all of us will be affected by the conclusions of the proposed research in ways that we can try to predict: People living longer, population rising, damaging to the planet rising and a compromised future. Research: My research will be done through books and Google Scholar. Final draft note: If we join these considerations and try to make sense of them, perhaps we would not like its conclusion. Ref. Overpopulation: A Growing Problem (Infographic) Online video clip - 24 Sep 2011 BBC (Cumming 2016) United Nations Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot Will Stephen, Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University |
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