The World to Come

McCain or Obama - it doesn't matter in the larger scope of things. There are problems neither can or will solve. Global warming whether it is man-made or cyclical is going to be a problem for every living person. Population growth is going to be a major concern of world leaders. Hunger is and will be an ongoing problem no matter who is president of the United States.

As we reflect upon the organization that is to lead the world - The United Nations - we must hang our heads. It has become one of the most corrupt organizations in the history of mankind. It is unable to manage it's own affairs and is dismal in attempts to bring peace. So far it has only managed to consume trillions of dollars on talk and waste. The programs funded by the UN are under-funded, ineffective and do little to address the vast suffering around the globe.

The Super-powers are no better. The bickering and distrust is rampant. There are those in each country striving to become masters of the world. Capitalist, communist, socialist, fascist powerful men and women would assume the mantle of world dictator. Even the religious are not immune from visions of world dominance.

What can we expect in Twenty years? Thirty years?

Technology will continue to advance at such a rate it will stagger the mind and imagination. But, the technology will not be able to rid the world of ideologies that are more harmful than disease. Yes, we will advance new energy technology and yes we will devise new methods for controlling known diseases. The marvels that will unfold will astound but not cure the basic catastrophic problems only now being understood.

As our world population expands it requires more and more energy. Food, the greatest weapon, man has available will be used in more assertive and forceful ways. The starving of the world will be subjugated to and enslaved to competing ideologies be they political or religious. Medical care will become a luxury as it was in the dark ages on mankind's history. The rich and the elite will have life-prolonging resources while the poor will make do with in-frequent and inadequate care.

The much-talked about gap between rich and poor will become a gulf the size of the Pacific Ocean. However, as now exists, the super rich will continue to be a tiny minority. The real problem will be the shrinking middle-class. Rather than seeing a growing middle-class we will see the poor growing exponentially. The cost of food, energy and medical care will rob billions of people the opportunity to become middle-class. Governments will be forced to scale back on basic services due to the huge costs. Taxes in capitalist countries will not be able to sustain the continued growth of populations. Communists and socialist countries will be controlled by militaristic governments willing and able to use force to maintain social order.

At the center of the world's problem is population growth. In the year 2042 the population of the world will be 9 billion. That is a three billion increase from our current population of just over six billion. The food, energy and medical shortages of today will seem like the "good-old-days". The projections above are all related to this one global problem of population. We have not the resources to meet all those needs on the levels for a meaningful existence. The "haves" will do well but the "have-nots" will constantly be in a state of rebellion. The religious will call upon the multitudes to address the injustices. Ideological leaders will have able bodies to throw into any conflict.

With such a population increase the use and demand for energy will be beyond comprehension. Nuclear power will be deemed man's salvation. Terrorists will scheme to make political statements as they hold those same power plants hostage.

Greenhouse gases from crop production, food processing and waste will continue to increase. If the world warms according to forecasts whether by man-made pollution or natural cyclical processes the results will be the same - less arid land and potable water for food production. There will be far less food available in the oceans. Considering such population growth it can easily be estimated that there will be in excess of two billion poor and hungry people.

The world to come will not be pretty. It will not be safe. It will be filled with hungry and hurting people.