Earth’s human population has doubled in the 50 years between 1970 and 2020, continually compounding at an average of about 15 percent every decade. Population has been and will continue to be somewhat affected by disease, famine, warfare and economic pressures, but these have not slowed population growth by any substantial degree. Certainly “green” practices are worthwhile efforts to help curb climate change, but in the long view it will be control of population that will save us from ourselves.
Births related to one woman (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren) over an average human life span can add considerably to population numbers, and yes, of course, men share in the issue. We just don’t die nearly as fast as we reproduce. If humans worldwide saw climate change as the serious threat that it is and consciously adopted zero population growth, the expansion of our species and demands on earth’s limited resources could be somewhat controlled.
Public objection to restricting births would certainly be an obstacle, as would the religious beliefs opposing birth control, abortion and euthanasia. But, it may well be that population control could be the most effective way to assure our continued existence on planet earth.
It’s unfortunate that “Thou Shalt Practice Birth Control” was not the 11th Commandment.
Bob LaMettry
Grand Marais
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