Overpopulation

Abstract

Among the eight imminent catastrophes reviewed in this part of the book, the threat of overpopulation has seniority. Almost two hundred years ago, Robert Malthus forcefully asserted that the population of the world was growing far more rapidly than available food resources. Because of this, he forecast a catastrophic disintegration of living standards. Since that time, a legion of demographers, economists, and political scientists have championed Malthusian doctrines and prescriptions as how best to avoid, or at least to postpone, the predicted catastrophe. To buttress this cause there have also been myriad movements and organizations to promote family planning and birth control.

Arresting global population growth should be second in importance only to avoiding nuclear war on humanity’s agenda.

Whatever your cause, it’s a lost cause without population control.

—Paul R. and Anne H. Ehrlich ⁽¹⁾