Overpopulation

[awke]

I will often hear Catholics say that overpopulation is not a real problem. Some will even go as far to say that we are facing an underpopulation problem.

My questions are:

1. 
   *]What evidence is there to support that overpopulation is not a problem?
   
   *]How should we deal with the reality that the developed western nations (especially the US) consumes far more than average? Do we need to regulate how much people can consume?
   
   And a follow-up observation: I will see some people that say overpopulation is not a problem but will then complain about the massive number of immigrants or population growth in their country/city. Isn’t this incompatible? Doesn’t this amount to say that something is not a problem as long as I can’t see it?

 

[Hawkmaid]

I will often hear Catholics say that overpopulation is not a real problem. Some will even go as far to say that we are facing an underpopulation problem.

My questions are:

1. 
   *]What evidence is there to support that overpopulation is not a problem?
   
   *]How should we deal with the reality that the developed western nations (especially the US) consumes far more than average? Do we need to regulate how much people can consume?
   
   And a follow-up observation: I will see some people that say overpopulation is not a problem but will then complain about the massive number of immigrants or population growth in their country/city. Isn’t this incompatible? Doesn’t this amount to say that something is not a problem as long as I can’t see it?

1. 
   Good questions!
   In answer to your first question: these videos should give good evidence. churchpop.com/2014/11/06/overpopulation-myth-6-videos/
   (I mean, what’s better than educational videos that are humorous?)
   Second: This IS a problem, though it doesn’t have to do with too many people in the world. Rather, it’s the problem of people in general wasting resources. You don’t have to have too many people do accomplish that. The answer to the problem? There are many avenues, but all rely on everyone complying to whatever we come up with. Therein lies the nearly-impossible rub. Nevertheless, blaming overpopulation is the wrong way to go. People need to be educated, not eradicated.
   
   Lastly, as per your observation: Overpopulation and overconcentration are different. One of the videos deals with this. Overpopulation is the idea that there are too many people in this world, ALL OVER THE WORLD, who are all consuming resources and will wipe out the planet. Overconcentration is when there are too many immigrants or people in general in one area - a city or a country, as you said. Overconcentration may be the real problem, but it’s less apocalyptic, I believe. I mean, there’s always Montana! Another thing in the above case of immigrants, is that they’re immigrating. Meaning, where they’re moving to may be “overpopulated” because of their presence, but where they LEFT from is now underpopulated, causing a kind of pseudo-balance. That’s one thing overpopulation enthusiasts don’t seem to account for.
   
   I hope this helps!

 

[GEddie]

1). I’d say that the burden of proof rests upon those who maintain that a particular condition, i.e., world overpopulation, exists.

2). Those who want to regulate consumption by citizens of nations on behalf of other nations or the world are welcome to try it!



ICXC NIKA

 

[Nelka]

There is enough space in America to fit another 800 million people in without trying.

 

[GEddie]

There is enough space in America to fit another 800 million people in without trying.

Tell that to a certain political candidate of this country…

ICXC NIKA

 

[jaimeleglise]

The Population Research Institute has great information on this from a pro-life, Catholic
scientific,factual prospective. They are on-line.

Americans are having fewer children than ever. Will there be enough people to support Social Security and care for the elderly?

It is not a matter of too many people. Rather it seems like 10% percent of the world’s population is using 90% of the world’s resources.

 

[jcrichton]

I will often hear Catholics say that overpopulation is not a real problem. Some will even go as far to say that we are facing an underpopulation problem.

My questions are:

1. What evidence is there to support that overpopulation is not a problem?

Hi!
Here’s the truth about overpopulation:

If it comes down to the numbers the entire world’s population can fit in Texas. This has been said many times and when it comes down to basic math, it is true. Texas is 268,581 Square miles, if some amazing engineer were to design the father of all complexes; basically a China housing unit on steroids is the only thing that would work. The building would cover the entire state of Texas. Rivers, ponds, and creeks included; literally every square inch of Texas would be engulfed in this building. There would be one thousand square feet per person. (factslist.net/2013/03/the-entire-world-population-can-sink-into-the-state-of-texas/)

…and when it comes to numbers, there’s a very strong sign of world population shortage:

The global research association surveyed 32 national economies, 266 industries and 464 occupations in the U.S. and 40 occupations in Europe. Of those studied, the research showed labor shortage risks in a majority of the occupations and nations in the next 15 years and beyond. The report focuses in on the growing number of Baby Boomers retiring, which should continue until around 2030, and the younger workforce’s reluctance to take on these positions in America. At the moment the evidence is minimal, but occupations experiencing early stages of labor shortage aren’t enacting ‘early-warning systems’ such as raising wages to counter the threat, said senior fellow at the Brookings Institution Gary Burtless to The Wall Street Journal. (aol.com/article/2014/09/04/unprecedented-challenges-labor-shortage-to-impact-world/20956765/?jwp=1)

1. How should we deal with the reality that the developed western nations (especially the US) consumes far more than average? Do we need to regulate how much people can consume?

And a follow-up observation: I will see some people that say overpopulation is not a problem but will then complain about the massive number of immigrants or population growth in their country/city. Isn’t this incompatible? Doesn’t this amount to say that something is not a problem as long as I can’t see it?

Though God Created the world with a built-in balance (we can witness this from the various eco systems that maintain this balance or that recreate this balance once allowed to repopulate) man, refuses to be the Steward God asked him to be–there’s an overabundance controlled and enjoyed by the wealthy and powerful; while, simultaneously the poor and powerless suffer insufficiency.

Man will never make the planet a *Star Trek *utopia since he continues to hurl himself into greed oblivion… that, married to the culture of death (the model to solve overpopulation and poverty through infanticide and euthanasia), is the perverse remedy to solving world hunger and "overpopulation.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[mikeeh]

What evidence is there to support that overpopulation is not a problem?

At present there seems to be a problem, but in the not too distant future there may be a population decline. Studies have shown that the *population growth rate *has slowed but because there are already so many people population continues to grow. This may change as the Baby Boomer Generation (which outnumbers Gen X and Gen Y) will pass away. Most people only have 1-2 children and replacement level birth rates require that every couple have at least 3. Then there are places like China which has favored male children over female causing a ratio disparity, and without enough women many men will miss their chance to procreate. It should also be noted that rural towns in the United States are being abandon because the younger generation are moving closer to the cities; small towns cannot maintain their populations leaving the younger people with no choice but to move. Education also plays a big part in the decline. Better educated couples take longer to get married and have children, and they are more likely to limit the number of children they have.

How should we deal with the reality that the developed western nations (especially the US) consumes far more than average? Do we need to regulate how much people can consume?

I don’t think we can do much. Our overconsumption allows us to have a plentiful bounty which in turn allows poor people in the United States to live far better than poor people in other parts of the world.

And a follow-up observation: I will see some people that say overpopulation is not a problem but will then complain about the massive number of immigrants or population growth in their country/city. Isn’t this incompatible? Doesn’t this amount to say that something is not a problem as long as I can’t see it?

As Hawkmaid said, overpopulation and overconcentration (aka overcrowding) are two different things.

It’s official: Japan’s population is dramatically shrinking
washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/02/26/its-official-japans-population-is-drastically-shrinking/

China’s Working-Age Population Sees Biggest-Ever Decline
blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2016/01/22/chinas-working-age-population-sees-biggest-ever-decline/

China’s biggest problem? Too many men
cnn.com/2012/11/14/opinion/china-challenges-one-child-brooks/

How India Will Start Shrinking After 2050
blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/07/31/how-india-will-start-shrinking-after-2050/

India’s Man Problem
india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/16/indias-man-problem/?_r=0

Smallville, USA, Fades Further
wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303325204579463761632103386

 

[ahs]

I
My questions are:

1. 
   *]What evidence is there to support that overpopulation is not a problem?
   
   *]How should we deal with the reality that the developed western nations (especially the US) consumes far more than average? Do we need to regulate how much people can consume?

1. 
   I agree that the observed selfish overindulgence by some in our nation is a real problem. But I don’t think it’s a good idea to try to regulate it. Aside from spreading the Gospel and showing an example of Christian living for others to follow…allowing them to give freely to those in need and not overindulge, I don’t see how that could turn into anything other than communism/socialism.
   
   I think the better option is to encourage our government to encourage other governments to distribute food/resources fairly. We don’t have a food shortage problem, for example. Our local rice farmers have nowhere to store rice because all the rice storages are FULL. The food is there. But some governments want to act as dictators and withhold resources from people. This is nothing less than what would end up happening if we tried to regulate this here in the US. We’d end up in the same boat.

 

[kdbueno]

Over 30% of land mass, are still non-occupied. Rationally, we are losing this economical standpoint. But there is no impossibility with God. Ecumenism, proves that we can share property at the expense of nothing.

 

[EasterJoy]

The Population Research Institute has great information on this from a pro-life, Catholic
scientific,factual prospective. They are on-line.

Americans are having fewer children than ever. Will there be enough people to support Social Security and care for the elderly?

It is not a matter of too many people. Rather it seems like 10% percent of the world’s population is using 90% of the world’s resources.

IOW: Overpopulation is nothing, compared to the problem of overconsumption.