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Overpopulation: Should we take extreme measures?
'There are too many of us already, and we must not let our numbers grow even further beyond what Earth's resources can provide. If we want to keep/improve our current standard of living, those who are able should take precautions.
A few of the more extreme ideas (i.e. killing off "unnecessary" members of a population), while theoretically efficient, seem elitist and unnecessarily drastic and cruel from a human standpoint.
Then there are people who believe in the ideal that either nature or an all-powerful being will eventually "balance out" our growing numbers (Eywa?). Yes, people die every day, but lives taken by disease epidemics, natural disasters, or wars should not be thought of as expendable just because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. In spite of the vast number of natural selection believers, we humans can take advantage of a very simple option to keep our numbers in check.
The total world population will reach about 9 billion in the year 2042, up from the documented 6 billion in 1999. Over 43 years, that's a 50% increase, or an additional 3 billion people. That's simply too many!
Some world governments presently have population limitation programs in place (China), or are developing new forms of contraception.
The human race can stop overpopulation at the source by not having as many children as we currently do. Some may consider this lowering of the planet's birth rate to be an extreme or even blasphemous idea, but many believe that it's exactly the kind of cautious and expeditious measure we need to take. Mathematically speaking, this reduction is certainly not a quick fix, but it is definitely more humane than selective euthanasia. Simply put, it focuses not on ending lives that already exist, but on creating lives less frequently.
Added by -Worth-
I think it's almost becoming a necessity at this point. It's pretty evident by now that we've gone beyond a sustainable population.
So what do you think?
Should governments step in and limit population growth?
You can really answer that question with just a yes or no. Or you can explain your answer. It's up to you.'
--Mitakuye Oyasin - Lakota Oyate 17:11, January 10, 2010 (UTC)
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94 comments
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population of the earth is going to stabilise anyway. I recommend looking at the demographic transition model, which you can view a simplified chart of here: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/Stage5.svg
basically shows how the birth, death rate and life expectancy change as a country becomes more developed. Countries like Germany and UK are already entering stage 5 of the demographic model, and their population would have already flattened out were it not for immigration.
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Can you explain how to overcome overpopulation?Please answer in points.
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Perhaps your comments would be more appropriate on another wiki.
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Hopefully 2012 will fix the problem for us.
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If you're talking about this stupid "end-of-the-world" myth because the Mayan calendar ends in 2012, you are sadly mistaken. The world will not end in 2012. NASA has proved it, so.....
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Sheesh. This is typical bilge from elitists who live part time in their HUGE mansions (instead of their Riviera estate) with lots of servants, a wet bar, 9 bidets, 14 cars in a 14 car garage, a kidney shaped olympic swimming pool, 3 sets of china, 6+ bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, a workout room, 15 acres of land overlooking the Pacific Ocean which we taxpayers will have to pay for if it burns or falls off the cliff, a $7 million house boat entitled something clever like BS 1 or Monkey Business, 3 closets in each bedroom for clothes and a special mirrored room just for shoes, a massive table made out of old growth forest wood, a room for their dog, and $7,000 tiebacks for their curtains. But, hey, they don't have any kids in their lives so that makes em better than everybody else. The ones who do have kids have enrolled the little darlings in 2 year emotional growth programs.
But, hey,we peons need to give up our kids, ride our bikes or mini coops, take staycas instead of vacas, unplug our phone chargers, wipe our mouths on our sleeves and use one square of toilet paper unless we poop and in that case we have been given dispensation to use two. Nuh uh. My kids are the best things in my life.
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Wow ~ there are a lot of nameless, faceless people making a lot of aggressive comments on this blog lately. Or is it all the same person acting goofy? :-P
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They come from a lousy blog called Haunting the Library. Here's the link were they mention our wiki and they think we're Cameron.
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Yes, someone dug out this one year old blog and cited it like it was some official article. People now seem to think this blog is a statement from James Cameron...
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This is why I have been "vacationing" from the wiki lately. Too many anons cluttering up our nice friendly community.
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Yikes, I just checked out Haunting the Library and what a group of unhappy, moaning and groaning, complaining, grouchy, unpleasant, and angry people. I'm glad they have each other because no one else would want to be around them. I don't understand what the purpose of Haunting the Library is? I pity them if they aren't intelligent enough to understand that this blog was created and posted by one of our users over a year ago; it was simply his/her opinion. I notice on their site that if you want to leave a comment, you must enter your name and email address ... anons aren't allowed the cloak of darkness there. ;-P
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Some of their comments are pretty raw. Is there any chance of politely asking them to go away?
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It's people like this that make me laugh. Why?, Because one day, they are going to die.
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Posted a reply on that post stating the idiocy of the blogger (ie. you're citing a year-old post made by a community member, etc.), it was 'moderated'.
-sigh-
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LOL, JayBO! These people are so stupid! Don't you have anything better to do than just bag on other people?! What have we ever done to you!? Nothing!
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Do these idiots ever fly and see that over 90% of the US in uninhabited? That gas is cheaper in inflation adjusted dollars than 40 years ago. That we are producing so much food that it is not only cheaper but farms are taken out of production in the most productive valley in CA and hardly anyone notices. The superstition of an overpopulation problem must be that someone is paying too much for concert tickets and it is the mobs fault. It would be laughable if the left had not already waged massive kill offs. We need to take these people seriously because we have seen what happens when you don't. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
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you first
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Right James...lead the way to population reduction you prick!
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I think the article is right. We should start first with the authors of the article, their families and their friends. Next all the ppl in Hollywood, who although more intelligent, good looking and better intentioned than most of us, do some heavy usage of earth's resources. Then we can continue with the elite in this country. Face it, the poor and middle class will follow the example given by these luminaries. They go firs, the middle class will follow. LIVE BY EXAMPLE
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Yes, lets start by killing all of the left wingers and their useful idiots. I'll gladly run a death camp to eliminate Marxist whine babies.
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I suggest you go live in China for five years, then come back and tell us if that's the way you want to go. Maybe they can squeeze you into one of those giant apartment buildings where you can live, work and eat all in the same place. Hope you like your bunkmates! By the way, where are you getting your information on overpopulation? I suggest you research the validity of it further.
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I think if liberals are all sterilized then we'll have only productive members of society left. We will innovate and overcome any population obstacles. I'm with ya brother!
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I thought global warming was going to take care of overpopulation.
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elistist first
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Not a bad idea. After you.
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My answer is that i think you're all fascists at heart.
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Like most "environmentalists".
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We need to set our selves on a new path - a direction where we do not fight nature or "tamper" with nature (like with GMO) but rather we begin to have a synergy and fit with nature. Then we will have abundance of food, energy and water that can easily support 20 billion humans on not even 3% of the land surface. Current agriculture is harmful to living ecologies - for example the living systems in healthy soil are destroyed by synthetic chemical nutrients (fertilizer from petrochemicals) and so crops become dependent on the synthetic fertilizer because the soil is dead. Not only that but toxic herbicides, fungicides and pesticides kill other plants and biota to produce "mono-crops". Then additionally we now have GMO (genetically modified organisms) that have unknown dangers and synthetic hormones, enzymes, and antibiotics in our food: Monsanto is a corporation that manipulates nature in very dangerous ways and with no care for consequences. Their political power and global tentacles reach around the world and exploit the developing nations: http://bit.ly/4stUyw @GaneshaXi: #SuperMenace
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@Na'vii I never, I mean NEVER stated that any problem solves itself. And I did stated we need to take steps, I just think taking away the right to let people decide how many people they want is wrong. There are plenty of other options. AND I tried to see the world a bit possitive, just so that all these problems wouldn't ruin your life. But if you disagree, what would you suggest?
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Worry is unproductive. Better that we get more than a little excited about the issues now generated by human population pressure. That includes the global warming - there are many view points on all these issues - but must not get in the way of action. The trouble is that many crisis will combine to create worst case scenarios. The Home movie has good information and I think the estimate of 10 years or less for effective action to reverse trends is right. Lack of effective action makes human population crash very probable. See: www.dieoff.org - not a nice future - one where conflict could lock in the worst in human behavior. The vast amount of Carbon in the form of Methane locked into permafrost and arctic ocean seabed is contained in unstable ice formations. I have been very excited about this since last summer when I tweeted this reference: Gas Hydrates huge and unstable carbon sink - http://bit.ly/3oOt0Z - but I got zero retweets on that so far!
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Cystlib: We can't take on the mentality that it will solve itself, because it won't . While your right with the fact that our science is becoming better and better, none of that will matter if people can't see the problem.
Sure, the science will help. Before you know it, we will have 20 billion people, no vegetation or nature, and no happiness. Lets make sure that that outcome isn't the one we want and isn't the one we'll get.
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argh, I always forget to log in... Above was me, Cystlib.
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I think I reached my goal. I wanted to convince you people that taking away the right deciding how many children you want is wrong. And that there are other solutions, and population dispersal is needed. I also agree with SolaRoofGuy. It's more about spending and gathering resources then about space and capacity. And with the comment about pandemics I meant to illustrate that the world will always be more or less in balance, whatever happens. And with my comment "Keep fighting" I didn't meant that to be taken litteraly, because I believe any outlet of agression and violence is a bad one. I meant don't give up hope. Btw I think the videos are a bit extreme. And I think there are alot more problems nowadays that need to be solved first before we start thinking about (far-)future problems. Still the future is what counts, but we can't better our future without solving the present.
There is no need to worry (much), stay positive but critique towards life. For example, every 2 years the number of solar panels doubles. (A few) more years and we can support the whole earth with solar energy. And another thing, like every 11 years human knowledge doubles. Believe me, we will have solutions when it's ready. The point is solutions isn't the problem, but we all should recognize the problem and we need to work together.
We always forget the positive things. Does this mean the discussion is kinda over?
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thank you Calles for that documentary, I now have a lot of homework to do now:P.
Seriously this film had a great impact on me. Especially the part where they show the beef-cows. I'm seriously thinking of becoming vegetarian, although I already eat minimal amounts of meat. And also that the world has 10 years to change before it's too late and the permafrost in Russia is molten and the methan comes free... It really worries me now and I doubt I'll sleep well tonight.
I guess we must use other technology and rich governments should spend more on environments etc. and not on wars like was shown in the film (1 on 12)
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Thanks Calles for sharing that documentary! It really got me thinking.
"The problem isn't space but having enough resources that can be utillized." - You're right, space isn't the issue but the lack of resources is becoming a greater problem every day. Why does this problem exist? Simply because we want to take away more than the earth has to offer. This is due to our great numbers and possibly a lack of an effective approach.
New technology might be a solution, but I agree with Na'vii that the more disconnected we get from our roots, nature, the more we will lose ourselves. Therefore I also think we should focus on developing "technology that works with nature which will enhance life and eco systems".
@Yoda: -Avatar- is right that that's probably not the best way to put it lol, but in a way you're right. Holland for example is struggling with severe population ageing. So yeah, it's happening.
SolaRoofGuy said it all: "We need to change our approach. Reconnecting with nature is the way to go"!
