Alastair, since I'm in one of the bullseyes (Austin TX), I'm quite
aware of the drought on the plains. Droughts in Texas are hardly
lacking for precedent, though.
I am not saying we are or aren't in deep trouble. I suspect we are.
But there is more than one question to ask about our circumstances.
My present question revolves around the smallest adequate change. It
is a quantitative question: how many Americans (people living at an
average 2008 American impact level) can the earth support
indefinitely.
The ratio of that number to ten billion indicates the sustainable
impact level per person. I am stipulating that current US energy
consumption levels can be sustained and scaled up to ten billion
people if that is otherwise sustainable, and that the climate change
problem can be resolved. This seems technically feasible though
challenging, though sadly politically unlikely.
I am asking if there are other constraints even in this optimistic scenario.
mt
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