Are We headed for Pandora?

How long will it take us to use up the worlds natural resources? Well I guess that depends on who you ask? According most conservatives (at least most of the ones that I know), we are entitled to all of the worlds resources and we should use them as we see fit. I happen to agree with that concept to a degree, but to what extent happens to be a far different story.

To put it into perspective, let me give you a few examples. We used up all of the whales until that was no longer a viable resource. Same scenario for buffalo's, beavers and a whole host of other animals that are now extinct or endangered. Overfishing is another example. As an avid hunter and fisherman those two kinda tick me off. How about oil...? Now theres a biggie! Believe it or not there is only so much oil on Earth and once its gone, its gone. No Mas! Well perhaps for another few million years anyways. Same for coal, petroleum and Natural Gas. You wont get an argument out of me over natural gas (RNG) As a matter of fact thats one that i feel we should actually be using more of. There is plenty to go around (at least for now). The point is, we need to use our non-renewable resources far more wisely or there will be nothing left for those who follow us.

One case in point is here right here in the glamorous USA. Don't get me wrong I am not now, nor will I ever be anything less than a Patriot. I just have a different view as to how we should be doing some things. As "Number One" I feel that we should be setting the example for the rest of the world to follow. We as Americans are the biggest possible over-users of anything that can possibly be over-used. In the barely over five centuries that we have been on this continent we have exploited it to its fullest. Taking and using everything as we see fit giving no thought to the possible consequences. From deforestation, to Drill-Baby Drill. Literally sucking the life out of it.

So what do we do short of colonizing other planets once we finally realize the consequences of our selfish actions? How about making better use of our renewable resources? Wind, solar, water, geothermal are all outstanding examples of alternative energy sources. The argument seems to be that these are not yet viable/efficient sources. C'mon guys... we can put a man on the moon but can't yet figure out how to run a car off of something more efficiently? The fact is there is just too darn much money in the oil business. But like they say, Earth First, We'll Log The Other Planets Later!