World population growth and related technical problems

Although most literature concerning world population growth and allied problems has been written for a wide spectrum of readers, the present article provides data related to population growth, energy consumption, and life-support capabilities in a format designed specifically to satisfy the technologist. Momentous technical advances have occurred during the last century, but it has become evident that concomitant penalties are beginning to appear. If such a rate of technical growth continues into the future, social systems will become more and more complex, with an increasing probability of malfunction unless closer attention is given to the possible penalties associated with such advances. Since industrialization problems in a highly populated world are difficult, if not impossible, to predict, the intent of this article is to emphasize the need for engineers and scientists to become aware of the importance of their work, and to stimulate thought regarding the relationship between technology and the ultimate quality of life.