Okay, I hate to say this, but someone has too. This running out is already well under way. Africa cannot support itself, the midwest uses more water then it gets (hence the aquafer beneath it is drying up, it could run out in my lifetime, definitly my childrens), and oil.... well, I think we'll be out of that within your lifetime (unless your ever 60). The problem is that people think we can't run out until the NEXT generation has to take over. They never think "Hmm, this is my problem too!".
I think humans are better compared to a parasite. Eventually, all parasites find balance with their host. For example, tape worms. The only danger with them is that they will block your intestines or (possibly) allows secondary infections. Eventually they may even evolve ways that protect the host (us) from both (like becoming smaller so they won't block the intestines, or producing anti-biotics to prevent infection leading to death of host). Humans may someday figure out how to be at balance with planet earth and it's ecosystems, which is our host. The trick is adapting ourselves before the planet kicks the bucket and tkaes us with it.
Something I never get, however, is how people can say "It won't happen for a long time." I find that mindset to be foolish, short term, and self-centered. I don't want to suffer, or see my children suffer, because my ancestors were stupid and self-centered. If I could afford (The cursed words that everyone hates) to install solar panels, a minature hydroelectric plant, and some wind turbines onto my house, I would. I ope to get a hybrid car someday (mayjor saving to do for that) and I already use as many compact florecents as is possible (all my fish tank lights, my house lights). Humans can never completely remove out carbon footprint or remove that we requier resources. What we can do is requier less so that we can replenish them as they run out.
Humans as a species are based on the evolutionary path that says "When you run out, move elsewhere." Therefor we, unlike more sedentary or non-nomadic species, use more then we need, with the instictive thought we will have the ability to leave when we have finished. Sadly, we've taken all of earth, and we don't yet know how to leave our planet. Yes, our planet. It is OUR host. We need to take better care of it.
Okay, now I've lept around the ballpark but said everything I wanted here, lets see what you have to say now
~Siv
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