is a mistake soluble?

[Oedipus]

As long as there is a net increase in population, the problem persists. The decline in Western birth-rates is not happening in the third world

[mal4mac]

As long as there is a net increase in population, the problem persists. The decline in Western birth-rates is not happening in the third world

The decline in Western birth-rates *is* happening in the third world. Did you bother to dig down into the link I gave you? Have you any facts to back up your statement, or are you just making things up? Here's a nice TV documentary on the subject, if you really want to learn the facts:

http://www.gapminder.org/videos/dont...ut-population/

[Oedipus]

TV documentaries have always been useless; sensationalistic and guilty of lies of omissions at best and openly perfidious and mendacious at worst/

The UN: http://www.un.org/esa/population/pub...p2300final.pdf

They predict peak in the 2070s

In these projections, world population peaks at
9.22 billion in 2075. Population therefore grows
slightly beyond the level of 8.92 billion projected
for 2050 in the 2002 Revision, on which these projections
are based.

World population is projected to grow from 6.1
billion in 2000 to 8.9 billion in 2050, increasing
therefore by 47 per cent. The average annual
population growth rate over this half-century will
be 0.77 per cent, substantially lower than the 1.76
per cent average growth rate from 1950 to 2000.
In addition, growth is projected to slow the further
the projections go. For 2000-2005, the annual
growth rate is estimated at 1.22 per cent; by 2045-
2050, it will be only 0.33 per cent.
Although growth rates will fall, the annual increase
in world population will remain large: 57
million a year on average between 2000 and 2050.
This is smaller than the 71 million people added
annually between 1950 and 2000 but still substantial.
It means that, on average each year for 50
years, world population will expand by about as
many people as now live in Italy. The increase,
over 50 years, will be more than twice the current
population of China, or more than twice the current
population of all more developed regions
combined. Although population growth will eventually
subside, and a variety of countries will see
little or no population growth, for the world as a
whole the next 50 years can hardly be characterized
as demographically tranquil.

As for your link, I distrust someone who claims that with five facts "everyone can upgrade their world view"

You do seem to right about birth rates in the third world generally; however it does not counteract growth entirely. The ratios of African and Asians to Europeans and North Americans will change to the favour of the former two, as one result of this.

[PeterL]

Oh for a breakout of some deadly plague that sweeps through the world by storm...

I hope so.

[hypatia_]

why would growth rates slow down rather than speed up? there are more people reproducing, hence more people being reproduced. the only thing i see stopping growth is laws such as are in place in China...

Overpopulation of humans is the single most pressing concern for our species, and the whole planet. It's extremely important to our survival that we realize the danger before it is truly irreversible.

This little globe is our island, cacian, and we are indeed squeezing too many onto it. I know are an intelligent person and I urge you to do some research on this subject.

Yeah, the problem is, what is the best course of action that minimizes the sacrifice of basic human rights?

[NikolaiI]

Awareness of the danger is the main thing I believe, and awareness that it's not really okay or smart to have 14 children anymore; the times have changed and it's essential we stop before we have no chance of stopping.

[free]

Only at room temperature, though.

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