Last week’s United Nations announcement of the planet having reached 7 billion people is sad news. In my short 83 years of life, I’ve seen the planet grow from 2 billion to 7 billion, while it took till 1800 for the world to reach its first billion.

The U.N. projection of leveling out at about 9 billion has now been re-estimated to be some 10 or more billion. Almost all the growth is in the developing world, while the so-called first world population is actually declining.

It’s estimated that a population birthrate of about 2.1 to 2.2 children is needed to sustain a population at stable levels. The Western world birth rate is now lower, ranging from about 1.4 to 1.8, while some Asian and African communities have birth rates of four or more per family.

An ecological principle talks about a biospheric carrying capacity, the ability of a biological system to sustain life. It is possible that a world population of about 10 billion could exceed the planet’s carrying capacity. It’s a proof I’m not looking forward to testing.

Regardless of which set of values you accept, beyond climate change issues, this population expansion is something we need to stop talking about and start acting on. History has shown that increasing prosperity is generally accompanied with reduction is overpopulation, and prosperity generally is enhanced by improved and increased education.

While it may not be the sole answer, it’s a good place to start. What do you think?

Marvin Goldman

Davis

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