From Iain Climie, Whitchurch, Hampshire, UK
Population growth poses problems, but the solutions are far from simple (25 May, p 24). For example, China’s one child policy has misfired because of a preference for boys, and its population is now disproportionately elderly.
Even if we were to halt world population at its current level, it may not help much when it comes to resource depletion. Medical advances are most likely to prolong the lives of those with high-impact, well-off Western lifestyles. Poorer countries aspire to these lifestyles, and it is often estimated that to provide everyone with this would use the resources of multiple Earths. Add in an economic system that boils down to “make more money, buy more stuff” and the outlook appears bleak for future generations and the natural world.
