Elephant in the room

[bunn]

You'd think occasionally on some of these news stories they'd acknowledge that a big part of the problem is that there are too many people.

UK water use 'worsening global crisis'

What do we need 8 billion people for anyway?  Wouldn't the world be a nicer place all round if we'd stuck at, say, 5 billion, and had more whales and orangutans instead...?

Comments

[philmophlegm.livejournal.com]

We need an 'elephant in the room' userpic.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

I have made one :-)

[inzilbeth-liz.livejournal.com]

'Wouldn't the world be a nicer place all round if we'd stuck at, say, 5 billion, and had more whales and orangutans instead...?'

HEAR, HEAR!!!!!

It's just so obvious, isn't it, so why do the powers-that-be never take any notice!

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Cram too many animals in : first they get grumpy at each other, then they start running short of resources and crowd out anything weaker - then they get sick. Nothing unique about humans in that respect. :-(

[thecatsamuel.livejournal.com]

It's the Great Unsayable, isn't it? Whenever there are discussions of climate change/resources shortages/fragile ecosystems etc etc NO ONE will come out and admit that Population Numbers Are Part of the Problem.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Contraception and reproductive education treads on so many toes. I guess that's understandable when the great taboos, religion and reproduction are involved, and it's only too easy to get racism rearing its ugly head as well. :-/

Giving people water or food is uncontroversial, but giving them condoms, or heaven forbid the pill is apparently much more controversial. Rarely does it seem to be mentioned that many people might actually choose not to have large families, given a real choice...

[thecatsamuel.livejournal.com]

I think it's a feminist issue as well because it's so much about letting women control their bodies and (shlock horror) their sexuality.

I no longer give to Catholic/evangelical charities because of their stance on birth control.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree. Lack of contraception goes hand in hand with a life lacking choices. :-(

[thecatsamuel.livejournal.com]

PS LOVE the icon!

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :-)