It's a study I have been quoting a long time, so I don't doubt it no longer reflects conditions in India. My only point was perceptions of poverty change and can be very subjective.
Historically, wine and beer were drunk in Europe because you could not drink the water. It was not clean. The expectation that everyone "should" have clean water is a relatively new concept. Would I like everyone to have clean water? Sure. But I don't think the lack of clean water for many people somehow magically wipes out the value of other gains.
I think we are talking about different things. What I mean is: there are people living in squalor right now. Therefore it follows that "we" do not automatically always find a solution if people live in squalor. Therefore "resourcefulness will solve all our problems" has been refuted in my opinion.
I know that the definition of poverty is subjective, hence my use of the term squalor. In my country (Germany) poverty is defined as having less than a percentage of the average income. So most people "below the poverty line" are actually rich - they have health insurance and everything. It is indeed rather meaningless to use the term "poverty" in that way.
I've been talking about Peak Oil for years. I think it is a serious issue. But I'm an optimist and I think we can adapt. It doesn't have to be some nightmare scenario. It will only turn into that if we engage in too much denial and foot dragging and resistance to change.
Can doesn't mean will. I imagine lots of Americans will drag their feet and only embrace change when a gun is to their head on this issue. But I will not and I hope others can be encouraged to be more proactive as well.
Historically, wine and beer were drunk in Europe because you could not drink the water. It was not clean. The expectation that everyone "should" have clean water is a relatively new concept. Would I like everyone to have clean water? Sure. But I don't think the lack of clean water for many people somehow magically wipes out the value of other gains.