“...London (England) became the world’s largest city during the coal-powered industrial revolution, a tipping point for the steep rise of Earth’s population. Wealthy countries use many times more resources per capita than poorer nations, but as global incomes rise, increased consumption may stress the planet more than population growth.”
“In 1975 only three cities worldwide topped ten million. Today 21 such megacities exist, most in developing countries, where urban areas absorb much of the globe’s rising population.” (National Geographic, Jan. 2011)
The Earth’s population reached 1 billion in the early 1800s.
It reached 2 billion about 130 years later in 1930.
["Burgers cost almost nothing in the 1940s"]
It reached 3 billion 30 years later in 1960. I was 11 years old and cannot remember any big party at the time.
It reached 4 billion 14 years later in 1974. I didn't notice. I was too busy teaching young students how great the Great Lakes are. Bob Dylan released the album Planet Waves. Maybe he knew something I didn’t.
It reached 5 billion 13 years later in 1987. Bob Dylan didn’t put out an album that year. I was bummed out.
It reached 6 billion 12 years later in 1999. Bob Dylan didn’t release an album that year as well. I was bummed out again.
It will reach 7 billion 12 years later in 2011. I think Dylan has something in the works this time ‘round to mark the occasion.
According to National Geographic, it may reach 8 billion 13 years from now in 2024, then taper off a bit before hitting 9 billion 20 years later in 2045.
["Want my recipe for Frontier Stew?": photo GH]
And the magazine states: “In the coming decades, despite falling birthrates, the population will continue to grow - mostly in poor countries. If the billions of people who want to boost themselves out of poverty follow the path blazed by those in wealthy countries, they too will step hard on the planet’s resources.” (pg. 40)
Meanwhile, back at the ranch in London, Ontario, Canada, where many people spend a smaller portion of disposable income on food than anywhere else on the planet, there is a growing concern about rising food prices (Corn is getting more expensive to grow! WTHeck!!) and that restaurant menus will change to reflect higher costs. Even the price of a big bag of burgers might go up a touch.
Several people are also nervous about the prospect of having to fry their own eggs and sausages in order to save money.
Will the rising global population affect the price of food on our plate as well?
Is there a magic pill we can take to make the bad news go away?
Can we return to the 1940s when a burger and fries cost 10 cents? (That may have include a chocolate malt).
I’ll look into it!
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Please click here to read It Strikes Me Funny PT 2: Is ‘restaurant trouble’ big trouble?
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