How Big Is a Human Cube?

Key Concepts

• Volume of Earth's Gold: A cube of all gold on Earth would measure 22 meters per side.
• Volume of Humanity: A cube encompassing all humans would fit within Central Park.
• Volume of Earth's Water: The total volume of water on Earth is approximately 1.4 billion cubic kilometers.
• Volume of Marine Life Carbon: The carbon making up all marine life would form a cube of about 3 kilometers.
• Volume of Ocean Plastic Waste: Approximately 150 million tons of plastic waste exist in the oceans.
• Volume of Human-Made Objects (last 100 years): The cumulative volume of human-built items in the last century would form a cube larger than the Yaraba asteroid.
• Human Impact Scale: Despite being a small part of the planet, humanity's impact is significant.

Earth's Gold Cube

The total amount of gold on Earth, if formed into a perfect cube, would have sides measuring 22 meters. This volume is substantial enough to provide a gold watch to approximately one in three people globally.

Humanity's Cube

A hypothetical cube containing all humans would be relatively small, capable of fitting within the confines of Central Park. The transcript humorously suggests this human mega-cube could be rolled up like a "giant human sushi roll."

Earth's Water and Marine Life

The entirety of water on Earth amounts to roughly 1.4 billion cubic kilometers. Within this vast volume, the carbon content of all marine life, estimated at 6 gigatons, would form a cube approximately 3 kilometers on each side.

Plastic Waste in Oceans

In contrast to the carbon of marine life, the plastic waste accumulated in the oceans is a significant volume, estimated at around 150 million tons.

Human-Made Objects and Impact

Over the past 100 years, humanity has produced an immense quantity of manufactured goods. If all these items were consolidated into a single cube, its dimensions would exceed that of the Yaraba asteroid, an object known for creating the oldest impact crater on Earth. This comparison highlights the immense scale of human industrial activity and its environmental footprint.

Conclusion

The video uses the concept of "cubing" various substances and entities to provide a tangible perspective on their relative volumes and the scale of human impact. While humans may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of the planet ("just a drop in the ocean"), the cumulative effect of human activity, particularly in terms of manufactured goods, is demonstrably enormous. This visualization serves to put the scale of our presence and influence into perspective.