Optimist Pessimist Debate

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Environmental Economics Sp 08 | Mexico: Trade and the Environment | Recycling | Local Recycling Policies | Urban Sprawl | Trade and the Environment | Optimist Pessimist Debate | Forestry in China




Environmental Debate: Optimistic vs. Pessimistic

Population | CO2 Emission | Fossil Fuel Reserves | Renewable Energy | Free Trade | Agriculture


Introduction

As we move forward into the 21st century, the whole world is being faced with many environmental challenges that seem to become more important every year. This is not only limited to the fear of global climate change, but also concerns grow over pollution and the planet’s ability to sustain the ever growing population. There emerge two schools of thought. First, the optimists who believe that human kind will be able to use technological advancements and new policies to combat environmental, resource, and population obstacles. Also, this group of people is willing to place faith in tenacity of the human spirit to overcome. The second group, the pessimists conclude that the rapidly growing population and GDP combined with increasing environmental degradation will lead to humanity overwhelming the planet.