I first was introduced to the issues of overpopulation and Zero Population Growth in college (1968-1972) studying botany, ecology and environmental chemistry. Professor Paul R. Ehrlich's pathfinding book, "The Population Bomb" (1968), was required reading. Glad to know he is still beating the drum to raise awareness! I did my part for the cause, as I didn't have children, but with the exploding populations in India and China, overpopulation is a huge problem. I know much research is being done to foster better agricultural practices as well worldwide, and we must all do what we can in our small ways to be better stewards of the Earth and its precious resources. Every little bit helps.

You know even limiting childen in couples is causing problems. Just look at China, couples can only have 1 child, and most families want boys. Now they are saying they don't have enough females. All these men and no women to marry.

At some point, a limit to population would be reached. It only makes sense to nip that in the bud before it's too late.

It wouldn't surprise me at all.

Paul Erlich (of Stanford) has been espousing this for decades (since 1970 at least). We, the people, ignore it, live blissfully, vote Republican.

China has population and reproductive laws (and thank goodness they do!). When I worked in China I was very curious as to how the people felt about that, so being the large bumbling western dolt that I am, I asked. The overwhelming response was that it only made sense, it was a responsibility of each person to not use too many resources, whether it was lights, food or space, as that was considered greedy and wrong. Their main thought on this was that it only made sense, people could not reproduce heedlessly because there was only so much to go around. Several women also told me it made each child precious. Interesting, since they have been raised in a one child society and we are more of the heir and a spare mentality.

In many parts of the world you do not see disabled individuals, either mentally or physically, because the natural selection of the society has already taken care of that. In the west we tend to think that all life is equally valuable and important (unless of course they are trying to immigrate).

It is not something we will see the solution to in our life times as many have said before, but it certainly makes me think that the layered worlds of Issac Assimov are not so far away.

You make some good points... it is a scary thought indeed.

The only way I can see population being limited is for each family to limit it. Which means that the ignorant will continue to reproduce at a fantastic rate. Maybe if we made birth control devices free to all? Glad that I won't see it in my lifetime.

I don't think we'll solve this one Sue, but I won't be around to see it. As long as reproductive rights are denied, education is denied, ignorance and fear (synonym: religious fanatics) rule, we won't be fixing this. And I don't think these battles are even being addressed while we fight for oil and ignore everything else.