I'm not concerned about the planet; I'm concerned about our continued presence on it, in a manner worth enjoying.
EDIT: Don't mistake me; I'm actually deeply concerned about the planet. But it, and life, will survive pretty much anything we could possibly do, and most things the universe at large could, too. Not us, though, and if we aren't around to appreciate this place, its continued support of life, while consolation, is only academically such.
Some geologists are starting to talk about the "Anthropocene", a new geological epoch characterized by the influence of humanity on the planet. The idea being that humans are having such a huge effect on the environment that it is the beginning of a new epoch.
As a geologist, the most astounding part of this is that humans have become a (and in some cases, "the") major player in a lot of natural processes. That's the basis for calling the industrialized era the Anthropocene.
Humans are now the primary "shapers" of the earth (e.g. [1]).
We likely move more sediment than natural processes. More than glaciers. More than rivers.
For me, that's simply mind-blowing.
[1] Hooke, R. L. (1994). On the efficacy of humans as geomorphic agents. GSA Today, 4(9), 217.
Wait until we start becoming a Type II civilization on the Kardashev scale and start exploiting the resources of the entire solar system. What sort of epoch will that be?
Assuming we don't get wiped by the apocalypse of our own making...
I don't see us colonizing other planets, the timescale required for us to start colonizing other planets, is probably hundreds of years with presumed prosperity (you don't see African countries launching that many spacecraft). We are looking at 50-100 years of prosperity at best, assuming we get out of the financial crisis.
That is incredibly pessimistic. We shouldn't be figuring out how to cut back and be austere, we should be making smart bets that will pay off big in the future. The libertarians are dangerous this way.
I don't think it's austerity, as much as learning to be considerate. And using almost literal "scorched earth" approach with RoundUp isn't considerate.
Also, please don't confuse my thoughts on ecology, with thoughts on economy.
