| Too Many People? by Warren Krug (November-December, 2000) |
Recently, if estimates are correct, the population of the
world passed the 6 billion mark. That’s a lot of people.
For a long time many scientists have been worrying out
loud about the effects of so many people upon the
earth’s ability to sustain its population.
Already in 1798 Thomas Malthus, a British author,
speculated that overpopulation would destroy the world,
unless war, famine, and disease put a halt to human
growth. He reasoned that since people increase
exponentially and food production only increases
arithmetically, food production couldn’t possibly keep up
with population growth.
world passed the 6 billion mark. That’s a lot of people.
For a long time many scientists have been worrying out
loud about the effects of so many people upon the
earth’s ability to sustain its population.
Already in 1798 Thomas Malthus, a British author,
speculated that overpopulation would destroy the world,
unless war, famine, and disease put a halt to human
growth. He reasoned that since people increase
exponentially and food production only increases
arithmetically, food production couldn’t possibly keep up
with population growth.
More recently in 1968 Paul Ehrlich wrote a book called The Population Bomb in which he predicted, “We will
breed ourselves into oblivion.” Hunger, famine and resource depletion are often mentioned as reasons for
limiting human reproduction.
What is so remarkable is that now we are beginning to hear about the opposite problem-the world in general
and specific countries in particular may soon be facing an underpopulation crisis.
Figures provided by Anthony C. LoBaido, an international correspondent for WorldNet Daily show the following:
*The world’s population may peak at 7.5-9 billion in 2040-2050 and then start declining sharply.
*Because of contraception and life span increases, the world’s elderly will soon outnumber its young. In 1975 the
mean global age was 22. In 2050 it is expected to be 38.
*In 1950 32% of the world’s people lived in developed countries in the West. Today the figure is 12%.
*Japan and Spain are two of many countries where birth rates (1.4 and 1.07 respectively) are far below the 2.1
needed to maintain their populations.
*By 2050 the population of Russia will shrink to 150 million, down from more than 200 million.
God has never been worried about overpopulation. He ordered early man to populate the earth (Gen. 1:28). He
reminds parents about the blessings of children (Psalm 127). He promises to care for us always (Matthew 6:25-
34).
Whether we are worried about two many or two few people, God is always there for us. LSI
breed ourselves into oblivion.” Hunger, famine and resource depletion are often mentioned as reasons for
limiting human reproduction.
What is so remarkable is that now we are beginning to hear about the opposite problem-the world in general
and specific countries in particular may soon be facing an underpopulation crisis.
Figures provided by Anthony C. LoBaido, an international correspondent for WorldNet Daily show the following:
*The world’s population may peak at 7.5-9 billion in 2040-2050 and then start declining sharply.
*Because of contraception and life span increases, the world’s elderly will soon outnumber its young. In 1975 the
mean global age was 22. In 2050 it is expected to be 38.
*In 1950 32% of the world’s people lived in developed countries in the West. Today the figure is 12%.
*Japan and Spain are two of many countries where birth rates (1.4 and 1.07 respectively) are far below the 2.1
needed to maintain their populations.
*By 2050 the population of Russia will shrink to 150 million, down from more than 200 million.
God has never been worried about overpopulation. He ordered early man to populate the earth (Gen. 1:28). He
reminds parents about the blessings of children (Psalm 127). He promises to care for us always (Matthew 6:25-
34).
Whether we are worried about two many or two few people, God is always there for us. LSI