Population, yet again

I may be wrong, but I get the impression that the burgeoning human population of the planet is becoming an issue, albeit slowly, once more. Have a look at this article, which gives an US perspective.

John Seager: Straight Talk about Population
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?2700

As readers of this blog will know, I have a tendency to go on (and on) about the human population and its growth, being the factor underpinning almost all of the plantet's problems. Certainly, we cannot "make poverty history", and at the same time maintain western standards of living, unless the human population declines dramatically. To quote John Seager's article cited above weare "in deep denial about basic science..."

So please read Seager's article, and put it in a local perspective, wherever you are in the world.

The best thing anyone can do to help slow down global warming, is not reproduce themselves, or at least have families of two or fewer. And remember the wealthier you are, the more damage to the planet your offspring, and their future generations, are likely to cause.

In 2001, the industrialised countries of the worldconsumed 211 quadrillion Btu of energy, releasing 11,600 million tonnes of carbon -- compare this with Africa which conumed only 12 quadrillion Btu of energy, and released only 843 million tonnes of carbon. In other words the average peson in the developed world has an impact on global warming, 13 times greater than the average African, and is responsible for the use of nearly 18 times as much energy.

It's food for thought.