Immense does not equal infinite

@dawnald (85129)
Shingle Springs, California
January 24, 2009 2:49am CST
A lot of people do not seem to be worried that we will eventually run out of petroleum on this planet. And maybe it won't be in my lifetime or my children's lifetimes, but eventually if we keep consuming it the way that we are, it will be gone. And when it is gone, heaven help our civilization if we haven't developed alternatives. Our resources may be vast but they won't last forever. How concerned are you?
2 people like this
7 responses
@wheel416 (1019)
• Canada
24 Jan 09
Very well said. I could not agree with you more. Sadly, the United States and Canada are both leaders in terms of human rights ETC. And we are also, two of the major contributors to the demise of our planet.We, deliver more harm to our environment than many other nations combined. When will we wake up and realize that our resources are not all renewable and some are indeed finite as you say? If I could move mountains I certainly would, especially as it relates to our environment and future generations. One of my major pet peeves of our society's today, it is our inability to plan for tomorrow. For example with the current economic crisis many people are struggling to make ends meet because they do not have any savings. Our consumerism and commercialism is astounding in North America. I want what I want, when I want it and I want it now! If we continue on that path, I fear we will push our planet beyond the point of no return where our actions will be irreversible.... Sadly, many people have the mentality, that if it doesn't affect me or my immediate family, too bad it's not my problem! However, oxygen seems to be something that those people take for granted as well! Just my humble opinion as always happy Mylotting!
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Jan 09
Irreversible for the species if not necessarily for the planet....
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Jan 09
And actually a lot of other species will no doubt go first. it's kind of a cliched expression, but what kind of a world would it be if there were no tigers in it?
@wheel416 (1019)
• Canada
24 Jan 09
Good Point I suppose, except if it's not inhabitable to us, it won't be habitable for a lot of other species either... I just wish that other people could see that.
1 person likes this
@riyasam (16556)
• India
24 Jan 09
i do agree with you.people argue that,by one person this planet wont be saved but doesnt the saying say,a drop of water,over a period of time,makes an vast ocean.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Jan 09
yeah but is the vast ocean going to drown us or save us?
1 person likes this
@riyasam (16556)
• India
25 Jan 09
dawn,hopefully,it will save us
1 person likes this
@balasri (26537)
• India
25 Jan 09
At the moment, the world uses about 26,000,000,000 barrels every year. At this rate, there should be enough oil for at least another 40 years. The pace of oil depletion overtakes the growth in new supplies. It sure is an alarming situation and I don't understand how we can be so cool driving without any worry. We never seem to care about the future of our children. It always pains me what kind of world are we going to leave for our children. Why do they deserve a warm highly polluted and more corrupted world without any fuel for their vehicles from us? What kind of irresponsible and selfish things are we?
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
25 Jan 09
They don't deserve it but it's probably what they will inherit.
@hotsummer (13837)
• Philippines
25 Jan 09
is petroleum not a renewable natural resources. cause it seems to me that way. cause we still not run out of it. well i think there will always be an alternative for petroleum like the vegetable source, or if will run out i guess we will get or go back to the old ways when man did not use any petroleum.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
25 Jan 09
Yeah but we have to develop the infrastructure to handle the alternatives. And yeah we could go back to the old ways but then how are we possibly going to feed this huge population of ours if we can't transport food?
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
24 Jan 09
This is of immense concern to me dawn. For example, in my own country we could go solar all the way. There shoulld not be a new house built in this country that is not solar powwered or wind powered for electricity. The whole country should be solar powered - it is a hot country, for goodness sake, and all the government does is chat and chat about it but nothing is really done. Must use wind and solar in every country where possible. Blessings
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Jan 09
I wonder why countries in warmer climates don't push solar more. The expense, I suppose...
@hildas (3031)
24 Jan 09
I was reading an article only the other day and I think it might run out in our lifetime. Well these experts where saying that the goverments really need to get on top of it all and make it top proity now. I am concerned about it runnng out. We need lots of alternatives in action now I think.
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Jan 09
The sooner the better!
@Humbug25 (12540)
24 Jan 09
Hi ya dawny I too am concerned and I am sure that people are trying to create alternatives but I wished they would hurry up and make things that are eco friendly and more affordable. I think that a lot of people aren't bothered because like you say it probably isn't going to happen in their lifetime so as long as they have got it now why should they care?!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
24 Jan 09
Reminds me of a story I read in German, translated "After Me the Flood". People don't think to the end of their lifetimes much less past it. I do hope that it will be taken more seriously in my lifetime though.