Thom Hartmann: Population & Energy - Is Mankind's Darkest Hour Here?

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Eli Clifton, Think Progress joins Thom Hartmann. The planet is screwed. In a new report just published - The United Nations is warning that rapid population growth - which will likely see the number of humans living on the planet explode to 9 billion by 2040 - will condemn billions more to a life of poverty. The U.N.'s "High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability" cautions in the report, "We run the risk of condemning up to 3 billion members of our human family to a life of endemic poverty.” By 2030 - the U.N. estimates the world will need to produce 50% more food, 45% more energy and 30% more water to sustain more people on the planet. The key is energy - because without energy - you can't produce food or distribute water nowadays. And needing to produce 45% more energy from fossil fuels to sustain 9 billion people might be impossible, as more and more scientists admit that peak has been reached worldwide. So what does all this mean for our crowded planet - and what can be done about it?

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