tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532313388110978122.post7806610272752067088..comments2023-10-28T00:47:18.069-07:00Comments on Weeks Population: Birth Control and Family SuccessJohn Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04069566137451684355noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532313388110978122.post-84878746380575772762015-03-24T21:48:28.485-07:002015-03-24T21:48:28.485-07:00I agree completely. Indeed, the mess in the middle...I agree completely. Indeed, the mess in the middle east is, at root, a function of population growth in that region. It winds up affecting the rest of us in myriad ways that we scarcely understand. The same is true of population growth in Africa and South Asis.John Weekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04069566137451684355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532313388110978122.post-87174735344458948972015-03-24T12:18:03.797-07:002015-03-24T12:18:03.797-07:00John Weeks - I saw an article today from one econo...John Weeks - I saw an article today from one economist, or really a financial analyst, that was a bit misleading. Or that is my impression. He was focusing on birth rats, and saying that data indicates that they are generally declining. Hence the future of the world is a scenario where large nations that are economically powerful, such as the USA and Russia, may have populations that are stable or declining. Hence from the point of view of financial analysts, the problem is a declining population base.<br /><br />My impression is that such an argument is skewed or biased, because it is misinterpreting the trends. As far as I can see, we are still on track to achieve a global population of 9-10 billion by 2060. I will concede that most of the increase in population is not in the West, and certainly not in Europe. It is primarily in Africa and Asia. Therefore, for economists who are "West centric" in their thinking, the addition of another 1.8-2.8 billion people into the world may not figure heavily in their thinking. <br /><br />BUT can we really continue to dwell in a world where a "pyramid of economic power" is slanted so that it heavily favors America and the West? I would argue NO ... we cannot. Surely there comes a time when the addition of another 2 billion people stretches resources beyond their breaking point? And I believe that it also what you have been asking - when you look at projections for global food supply and demand. If people look at the West as an "isolated enclave" then perhaps a different story plays out. I do not believe we will be able to separate the world conveniently into the "haves" and the "have-nots" when we are looking at a global population of 9-10 billion people.<br /><br />Your thoughts on this? Is "global sustainability" really just the problem ... of someone else?<br /><br />Pete, Redondo Beach, CAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com