Examining Humankind’s Effect on the Natural Environment

If taking up more space were the only negative influence that humankind was having on the planet, we’d probably be OK.  There are ~25 billion square miles of land on Earth; that’s 3 square miles (1920 acres) for every man, woman, and child. Moreover, we could prohibit development in regions that are rich in wildlife.

Our issues are more about what humans are doing: emitting greenhouse gases, creating toxic waste, sending plastics into the oceans, and so forth.

And that’s on the physical side.  On the political side, we’re electing would-be dictators.  We need to cut that out.