If we accept that there are too many people in the world, what is the most humane way of limiting population?

Question

The human race is currently reducing the capability of nature to support our increasing numbers.
Deforestation, soil erosion, ocean bed destruction, pollution, rapid extinction of species, etc.
We will one day reach the photosynthetic limit of the planet, which means that we will be eating all the food that nature can supply from the sun's energy, and the only other species we will allow will be those of direct use to us. Everything else will be gone. Do you like that thought?

Answer 1

Well, one thing we should do regardless of whether we think there are too many people or not is to make birth control methods free for everyone and provide far better education. Just by spending a little on these methods, we would save a ton on social welfare programs, public schools, health care, jails, etc.

There are definitely too many unwanted children.

Answer 2

Everything in this physical realm has an end. The thought of the planet not able to sustain humans is actually last on my list. Why? According to the present trends of affairs, wars, famines, pestilence and crime are, I think ,taking good care of this "over-population" business. I believe the planet and everything on it is going to outlive us humans. Why, we're so stupid we cannot even realise something as simple as physical boundaries and "spiritual" ones... So, don't worry too much. There will still be food for you tomorrow.
OH, this is for Ninja Cat : a lot of very successful people never finished high school, does that mean they are idiots? My father never knew how to read or write, yet he became a successful business man! and if we went by your criteria, I would've never been born, thank you, thank you very much.

Answer 3

Birth rates are DROPPING in Western Europe and the U.S., and China already has the one-child law. I am not too worried about over-population at this point. There is no "humane" way to lower population but to limit the number of children people are allowed to have... and with the over-abundance of males in China and India, that problem will take care of itself when there are fewer women to marry.

Answer 4

I say IQ tests for all people trying to have kids, the ones above say 125 are allowed the ones below should be permantly disable form having children ; p

Answer 5

Get rid of the stock market whose progress is measured by growth. Growth is the problem and the market is addicted to it.

Answer 6

The damage from losing the ozone layer will kill everything before that happens.