Is recycling just a load of BS?

[Lul Thyme]

But for the first time in eons, global population growth is SLOWING. Cause of magic? No. Cause of trends within society, including changing roles of women, urbanization, and the availability of birth control technology.

Originally posted by General Ludd

It is only slowing in the western world, and there is no reason to believe that it will remain this way because, as you said, it's largely a cultural phenoma (and is as susceptible as going away as it was to happen) The estimate seems to be that the population will level out at 9 billion (Although I do not believe the population level will ever stop climbing unless it is as a result of famine, disease, war, and pollution)

Yet another who could use some calculus.
You are confusing population growth (first derivative of population with respect to time) with the rate of change of population growth (second derivative).
The rates of growth are slowing throughout the world, you're wrong.

In layman terms, even though population is decreasing only in the west, the RATE OF GROWTH themselves are decreasing pretty much everywhere.

But that's just facts, disregard them if they don't suit you.

Anyway, I disagree with a lot of what you're saying, but I find it hard to argue about opinions with people who don't even understand the facts.

EDIT:
I'm sure you've seen a graph of population.
Well here's one of population GROWTH, so you can understand the difference:

http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/img/worldgr.gif

See how growth is falling (and has been since the 60s), and pretty fast at that, even though population is increasing (since growth is still positive).

[General Ludd]

Originally posted by Traianvs
However, the environment can cope with a little bit more than that

Why is there any reason to believe this? Such technology has only existed for a few thousand years and it's been downhill the whole time. North africa and the middle east use to be lush paradises - look what early civilization did to them.

Alas that's not going to change as long as our economy stays the way it is so yes recycling is not enough, but it's better than nothing at all.

Recycling is not better than nothing when it's only real effect is to further fuel the growth of industry. The way recycling is conventionally practiced, it amounts to nothing more than a subsidy of resources to prolong unsustainable growth.

[General Ludd]

Originally posted by Geronimo



Since any reduction in consumption would likewise be a cultural phenoma why do you place so much faith in it as the answer to all of our environmental woes?

I haven't placed any faith in people ceasing to consume and 'grow'. They'll be forced to eventually, though, one way or another.