Is overpopulation of the planet a myth?

Today there is a lot of discussion that the number of people on the planet is growing, and this fact inspires serious concerns. But what really is the basis of this “horror story” about the global problem of overpopulation, and what are the real threats?

The problem of overpopulation of the planet is essentially a substitution of concepts. It is unlikely, raising this topic, someone is seriously concerned that he does not have enough space in the cinema or living space in his hometown. Growth in the number of people allegedly contained threats of increasing CO2 emissions, climate change and reducing the amount of food. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that these fears are feigned - nothing more than dust in the eyes.

One of the reasons is an increase in CO2 emissions,  photo WEB

Americans speak louder about "overpopulation". Probably it is this nation, there every second person is obese, and they are afraid more than others that there will not be enough food for everyone ... They talked about the hunger that will swept the planet back in the 70s, but after half a century even in the poorest regions its stock not below the necessary. Today, the improvement of food production technology allows us to produce as much food as mankind is not able to eat. Almost 1.5 billion tons of food (approximately one third of the total volume produced) is simply discarded annually. This leads to irrational logistics, improper storage, negligence ... And in fact, humanity has a huge buffer of calories that can feed three times more people, if properly organized management of food flow in the world.

Another perspective from which to look at the problem of overpopulation of humanity is its ecological footprint. The existing population of the planet causes ecology unacceptable, irreparable damage, but the poor somewhere in Africa produces 30 times less CO2 than the average resident of Europe or America. Therefore, rapid population growth in the third world countries is less dangerous for the environment than slow growth in the rich. In taht case, the solution to the environmental problem of overpopulation lies in the awareness by people of developed countries of the fact that they are too wasteful. The planet will breathe more freely when Europe transfers from private cars to bicycles and electric vehicles, but not when starving families in Nigeria stop giving birth to children.

Modern technologies of the food industry allow to produce food in excess, photo WEB

Another issue behind the problem of overpopulation in the world is the rational use of Earth’s resources. Educated residents of developed countries are concerned that mineral reserves will soon run out - to provide the number of people that already exist! But here everything is the same as with ecology. The peasant village cultivates the land manually, and a successful entrepreneur operates a plant that runs on fossil fuels. Obviously, the influence of these people on the planet is excellent. However, progressive society has technological innovations and sustainable resource management methods that can restore and improve the environment. But their implementation comes with a “turtle” speed, because it requires investments, restructuring of technological processes and solving other problems ... It is easier for an entrepreneur to leave everything as it is and to regulate this issue only by the governments of the countries through taxes, fines or, conversely, rewards and benefits . But this "cart" almost does not move. For a known reason.

Technological innovation can restore and improve the environment, photo WEB

Is it permissible to say that someone should not be born, just because already living ones do not want to intelligently use the resources of the planet and moderate their life-threatening appetites? Yes, the reserve of the Earth is not unlimited, but humanity has science and technologies that push the boundaries of the possible. The problem of the overpopulation of the Earth is a deception, behind which are hidden the real problems of the irrational use of the natural wealth, the irresponsible attitude of mankind towards the ecology and its unwillingness to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.

However, experts assure that soon the number of people on the planet will decrease, and the reason for this will, paradoxically, will be the improvement in the quality of life. History shows that the richer the society, the less children there are - it is called a demographic transition. Scientists estimate that the peak of the world's population will be in the 70s of the current century, and will be 9–11 billion people, and after that, it will decline.

Victoria Romanova, Russia, Moscow

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