Are Humans overpopulating, and should prevenative policy be taken?

Question

Our planet can no longer seem to cope with the human race expanding everywhere. There is no other species so far spread from a single area as we have, and there is no other species environmentally unstable and unsustainable, as we grow, the natural world shrinks because we don't live with wildlife.

If there was a policy that every couple could only have one child, then in the space of about 2 generations, the human population would half. I don't agree with this idea, but if was implemented our level of pollution, consumption, and environmental impact would also approximately half.

And we'd take up so much less space, natural habitats could eventually re-emerge and we would have ample energy resources so that we wouldn't need more industrial development.

So should there be a new global policy, lets call it a license to reproduce. Or selective breeding (terrible but natural). Could such extreme measures be excused in such time of environmental chrisis? For future generations?

Please understand that this is not something I approve of, but something that would ultimately be very beneficial for the planet, and therefore future generations so the philanthropic argument works both ways.

As for China, China had a social inequality in which women couldn't work and few people had pensions and so naturally there was a strong preference for boys and an unfortunate neglect for girls.
So please refer from personal humanitarian attacks because I've worked with some of the poorest people in the world in some of the highest population areas. E.g Calcutta

Answer 1

Permaculture Answer:

Preventative policy as you describe NO. Reasons, enforcement, skews in sexes, reality of abortions, aging populations in western world, labour barriers, poverty, tradition, etc etc the list is endless. No excuse whatsoever for your selective breeding solution.

I do like your thinking about smallest land use for mankind. It is Permaculture thinking. Use less space by creating a highly productive/high yield homestead/garden and being as self sufficient in food, fuel and dealing with wastes as possible. Permaculture dictates we then leave the rest of the wilderness alone. In Permaculture we advocate SELF LIMITING your own family size.

Good luck with this question; people find it hard to understand that it is the connection between the WAY in which we live/consume/deplete/pollute that is causing the environmental problems. We have overconsumption but finite resources. Overpopulation is a threat because of the finite resources. Each child is another demand on finite resources. We damage the ecosystem and cover it in concrete, we pollute the air, water, soil thus ensuring that the ecosystem can not work effectively. Our actions are destroying the very system that keeps us alive.

The more people there are, the more demand there is on those finite resources.

Answer 2

The world is not overpopulated. The way capitalism works means that resources are not used most efficiently. That is why people are clumped together in industrial hubs, and why food is wasted in some parts of the world and there are massive shortages in other areas. Money!

What we need is to start voting people into power who won't pander to the needs of big business. Of course this is a difficult balance. How do you keep society functioning without big business to drive research and development. It's a catch 22 situation.

Having fewer people on the planet would make life easier for some....but harder for others! It's not a solution worth considering.

Answer 3

It's called ZPG and some countries advocate it. I believe efforts should be made to limit the population. In the US I believe we should reward couples for having fewer children, not giving extensive deductions for the more children you have -- limit deductions to two kids and have those that have more pay more in tax. I will never get elected!

Answer 4

You are mostly right. In fact very right. There should be a period of low reproduction to conserve resources and save the planet

Answer 5

just a thought the population has a net gain of 147people aprox every minute

Answer 6

Unfortunately, the cultures that understand the overpopulation problem are being overrun by those that don't.

Answer 7

actually were slowing down on the populating of the earth. with abortion and birth controle pills.

Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

preventative measures? you mean like putting toxic stuff in the water.....?

Answer 10

...about ever "hundred" years or so we should have a few controlled Nuclear explosions...that will "thin out the herd" a bit.