Overpopulation Is The Problem

Department: Letters

June 25, 2012 Letters

With regard to “Launching A Green Economy” (C&EN, May 21, page 25): “green economy ... sustainable development ... poverty eradication ... balance social, economic, and environmental goals ... public and private ... too many stakeholders ... lack of political willpower ... no common good.” Buzzwords! RIO+20. What bunk!

The real problem is overpopulation! Currently, that number is 7 billion-plus with 9 billion-plus expected in 20 to 30 years. And the problem is not being addressed!

By Roger F. Trandell
Houston

Chemical & Engineering News: ISSN 0009-2347; Copyright © American Chemical Society

Comments

Gerald Morine (06/28/2012 at 1:39 PM)

Actually, the problem of increasing population IS being addressed through mitigation, such as the green economy and sustainable development and RIO+20. A population increase to 9 or 10 billion is already baked into the cake, just as climate change for the next 40 years is. The primary question is: how do we adjust?

Lowering population growth is thought to depend on economic development, increasing education and the power of women, and reducing child mortality rates.

Other influences one might call on, such as religion and nationalism, push for INCREASED birth rates. (Note the high birth rates in Israel and Saudi Arabia, compared to other countries with similar per capita wealth.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overpopulation

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Nancy Freeman (07/07/2012 at 12:28 PM)

Overpopulation is a big issue. We are destroying our planet. The overpopulation problem was seen 40 years ago. In the 1970's a lot of us were working on zero population growth. The U.S. Government sabotaged the program in every way possible. How would the wealthy make their money without having the worker bees to make and buy products. In addition, Congress opened easy immigration to millions of Asians. When I lived in India, several told me that they could get U.S. Social Security without ever working here. I personally know of a case of an Indian elderly couple who got on Medicare although they had never worked a day in U.S. So the Government has created exactly what they wanted.
To the Government officials there is no problem... Goldman Sachs is sure to donate over $1,000,000 to the Obomo campaign again this election. Same with the unions--who collect over a million a year from dues. Unions are just corporations supporting and providing workerbees for corporations. Why didn't the Unions buy up industries to make worker-owned co-ops? There are so many in the "labor class" who are full on talent and innovative ideas that they never have an opportunity to explore.

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