Unless humans find another planet Earth, countries must change the way they interact to survive, Abel Alves, associate professor of history, said Monday.
"Six billion people on this planet cannot be supported by one planet Earth," Alves said. "We need at least two more planet Earths.
"I don't think we can go on living like we've been living. In order to survive, we have to make changes."
Alves focused on Latin American and American relations in his keynote address, "People and Environment of Latin America," as part of Hispanic Heritage Week.
In his address he explained the influence each region has on the other.
In 1999 and 2000, soybean meal from Argentina totaled $1.8 billion in U.S. exports, Alves said. Because of the tradition of giving in Argentinean culture, he said, the country exports too much of its food so it can't feed its own people.
Argentineans are now facing malnutrition and starvation, Alves said.
The Amazon Rain Forest is also afflicted by conflicting national interests, Alves said.
According to Alves, Brazilian natives suffer from the loss of wildlife and culture that comes with Americans clearing the rain forest.
Clear-cutting the forest might benefit American businesses, but it removes many peoples' ways of lives, Alves said.
America is also influenced by Latin America within the U.S. borders, he said. Because of unstable governments in Latin Americans' homelands, many are are crossing over U.S. borders in search of better jobs and opportunities for their families, Alves said.
If those governments don't stabilize, he said, Americans should expect more illegal immigrants in coming years.
"We are going to face immigrants from areas of the globe such as Latin America out of necessity," Alves said.
Alves outlined several solutions to ease tensions and hardships between the U.S. and Latin America.
"We can further integrate ourselves and be a leader in the world," Alves said.
This includes American willingness to spend more money as carefully as it can to help countries solve their problems, he said.
Alves also advised buying food products that have a "fair trade" label, which means the food was produced by small farmers or co-ops rather than sweat shops.
"Become an intelligent consumer," Alves said. "Avoid consistent buying at Wal-Mart."
Wal-Mart often sells products made in sweat shops, he said.
Alves also urged population control.
"In the future, think of how many children you and the planet can support," Alves said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
