By the year 2050, the planet's population will increase to 9 billion with most people migrating to massive cities. Better vaccines will lessen the epidemic of HIV and offset flu pandemics. The global economy will quadruple. Demand for food, fresh water and raw materials for construction and heat will stretch natural resources to their limits, according to a new analysis. If major changes are not made in the way humans consume natural resources, ther will e widespread famine, severe shortages of clean water and huge effects from natural disasters such as hurricanes. Cities will be plagued by vast amounts of wastewater and sewage. Sea level will rise, fisheries will collapse, emerging disease epidemics will sweep across the globe and coral reefs will die off, said authors of the new report, "The millennium Ecosystem Assessment," which was commisioned by the United Nations and is a four-year effort by 1,300 scientists from 95 countries. (have a wonderful day with this under your belt.) This grim scenario, however can be avoided through policy decisions that emphasize enviromental technology, reductions in poverty and investments in education and health, the reports author said. "Despite what looks like steady decline, this is a story of hope," said Stephen Carpenter, a lead author of the report and expert on ecostystem management at the Universtiy of Wisoconsin, Madison "The good nws is that we can make a very positive differce by 2050."


Yeah, recycle!