News Smart Talk A growing population -- the real threat -- Radio Smart Talk, Wednesday, July 1
| A growing population -- the real threat -- Radio Smart Talk, Wednesday, July 1 |
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| Tuesday, 30 June 2009 14:15 |
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 We've heard a lot about environmental issues such as global warming, alternative energies, living "green," food safety and the availability of clean water. Some environmentalists point out that the root cause of almost all the challenges we face is that the world's population is growing.  There are about 6.7 billion on the planet today.  By 2050, the world's population could be close to 10 billion.  They're all consumers and use the earth's resources to live.  The United States' population growth rate may have leveled off some time ago and the world's most populated nation -- China -- restricts how many children a family can have. But in developing countries, families are getting larger and larger.  Is there really an answer to this population growth and what affect will have on the Earth?    Guest: Robert Engelman, vice president for programs at the Worldwatch Institute and author of More: Population, Nature, and What Women Want  LISTEN TO THE PROGRAM
  Comments (7)
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written by Lisa , July 01, 2009, 09:30:28 AM Wow- great topic and guest today. I've taught women's studies courses and always have trouble explaining as clearly as this gentleman is doing why women's fertility is such a crucial issue not just for women but for the world. Great job! One question, in the U.S. the average age of first pregnancy and child bearing seems to be going up - is that trend happening elsewhere and, if so, what is the possible implication? report abuse
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written by Nydia , July 01, 2009, 09:52:46 AM Thank goodness someone is talking about this! I'm a woman that doesn't want to have biological children for many reasons, but most significantly because there are just too many of us already. When you boycott a product you speak with your dollar. I am making change with the only thing I feel I have any right to, my own body. report abuse
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written by Bonnie Tweedy Shaw , July 01, 2009, 10:07:27 AM Great program today. Over-population is the one problem that causes all the others. My theory is to put birth control in the drinking water, so that people who really want to have a child (and not just sex) must take an antidote. Well, maybe that won't work... but we have to do something to curb this growing problem. If every child that is brought into this world was truly planned for, WANTED, loved, and cherished, ...it would go a long way toward stopping over-population. report abuse
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written by Mary Ellen Wright, Lancaster , July 01, 2009, 10:10:16 AM That was a really interesting show about a topic I don't hear discussed nearly enough in the mainstream media. I'm interested in reading Mr. Engelman's book. The guest, moderator and callers, together, made this a great hour of public radio; I'll be passing along the "listen live" link so that interested folks outside our region can enjoy it, as well. report abuse
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written by Helen Steely , July 01, 2009, 10:20:11 AM The world beyound Eastern USA and even the entire USA is not able to support the numbers of people existing. Too few people read about the actual places in Asia, Africa and India to understand that our midwest is the main support for those poor people. Our NGO's feed the world, subsistence food but all they have. Most of Mongolia, China and India is not arable, nor is the water clean. Without the vaccines our nation provides, the death tolls would prove that famine is stalking those places. India provides for the small numbers of educated people who take our outsourced jobs but the rest really do eak out a living. Just read Murders in Mausoleums which is about a road trip from Moscow to Beijing in 2007, it is worth the read to understand how few people have the land to grow their own food. report abuse
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written by Robert Engelman , July 01, 2009, 11:44:48 AM Lisa, Thanks for your comment. In answer to your question, later age at childbirth is good collectively for population (it stretches out the generation, slowing increase) and generally good for women (more maturity, better brain development for maternity) unless age gets towards and beyond 40, in which case physical problems can become an issue. Later childbearing is yet another worldwide trend that is positive for population and the environment. I discuss it to some extent in my book. Bob report abuse
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written by Mr. Malthusian , August 17, 2009, 11:58:18 AM We humans are dumber than rocks and just as predictable. You can tell by my "name" where I stand of the issue. Until the corporations and the great growth mantra take a different view point, and that is not going to happen in our lifetimes. We will lumber along on the runaway train until we go over the edge. The only way one can look at is that this is historical and very big changes are coming sooner than all of us realize. Human biological imperative being what it is has doomed us along with an economic system that has become a cancer. The cornocopians have had their day and it has failed. Someone just has to turn out the lights. report abuse
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