I think in 50 years we might be about as limited as we are today -- some technologies significantly (but not magically) improved, but much more restricted energy and material availability. We've undergone the greatest revolutions in history in the last century, and fundamentally building technology and energy usage isn't in a magical state compared to early 20th century. NY's Empire State was built in the 1930s. Roman buildings are better in some way than modern equivalents.
A significant sea level rise (>10m) would mean rebuilding the housing of >25% of US's population (~40% are living within 100km of the coast). Imagine 1 in 3 people needing to rebuild their homes. Because of our current mode of action, we're quickly approaching most environmental limits at the same time. If we assume availability and (inverse) cost is approximately proportional to natural reserves of a mineral, and that consumption is also approximately inversely related to cost, then most minerals are expected to deplete at similar times. That I know of, copper, several rare earth minerals, lithium, phosphor, and who knows what else.
Imagine the social shock this will bring, specially if current cultural, social and economic paradigms are maintained.
What is interesting to me is that we have the capability to do so much, but we always pass the buck to someone else and refuse to come together or take ownership of any problem that isn't beating down out front door.
It's never an issue with resources. It's an issue with community and leadership, and the refusal of the community to appoint leaders who lead.
I think in 50 years we might be about as limited as we are today -- some technologies significantly (but not magically) improved, but much more restricted energy and material availability. We've undergone the greatest revolutions in history in the last century, and fundamentally building technology and energy usage isn't in a magical state compared to early 20th century. NY's Empire State was built in the 1930s. Roman buildings are better in some way than modern equivalents.
A significant sea level rise (>10m) would mean rebuilding the housing of >25% of US's population (~40% are living within 100km of the coast). Imagine 1 in 3 people needing to rebuild their homes. Because of our current mode of action, we're quickly approaching most environmental limits at the same time. If we assume availability and (inverse) cost is approximately proportional to natural reserves of a mineral, and that consumption is also approximately inversely related to cost, then most minerals are expected to deplete at similar times. That I know of, copper, several rare earth minerals, lithium, phosphor, and who knows what else.
Imagine the social shock this will bring, specially if current cultural, social and economic paradigms are maintained.
(I invite you to join me :) Here's a plan for a paradigm shift: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28833230)