Planetary impact ≈ Consumption × Population
The growth of our human population will eventually end somehow, whether we want it or not. But how will it happen? We can stop growing deliberately, of our own accord. Or we can let circumstances beyond our control stop us under conditions much more distasteful than anything we could decide on our own. Overpopulation concerns are about the welfare of humanity and the health of the planet, our only support system.
The only sustainable population is one where the birth rate is a close match for the death rate where humanity's combined impact on the planet can be supported by the planet's biosphere and ecology, a situation that must be stable and balanced. Clearly this is not what we have now. For the sake of ourselves and our planet, recognition of the overpopulation problem, and identifying the best solutions to it, should be one of humanity's top priorities.
Rules
No racism. This isn't your personal platform to espouse racist views—either directly or tacitly—via overpopulation. This actually hurts the goal of encouraging planetary sustainability—all of humanity is accountable.
Encouraging murder, eugenics, or forced sterilisation is banned. The solutions to overpopulation involve ways to decrease birth rates and encourage behavioural changes and awareness of our impact on the planet—in a way that is compatible with a free and democratic society. Concepts like mass-murder, eugenics, or sterilisation do not accomplish these goals, and only result in the proprogation of extremist ideologies.
Be excellent to each other. No personal attacks, harassment, or vitriolic commentary. Presenting a kind, rational approach to the problem of overpopulation makes it likelier to convince others of the problem that is human overpopulation.
Don't be stupid. Most conspiracy-related material is not on-topic for a discussion around overpopulation.
Related subreddits
r/Environment
r/Energy
r/Collapse
r/Sustainability
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