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Have fewer children
14/12/2007
INCREASED energy use is the principal driving force behind the threat of global warming being debated at the UN meeting in Bali.
But little consideration is being given to the other main factor, which is rapidly increasing population growth. When I was born there were fewer than 3 billion people on our planet. Now there are 6.5 billion, and we are on track for 9 billion.
‘Spaceship Earth’ has stayed the same size but the stocks in the cupboards are going down. This is not simply a problem for those in developing countries. People in Britain, with its huge levels of consumption, are responsible for releasing 50 times more carbon than people in parts of Africa. Latest figures suggest that our own population may rise to 80 million or more thanks to greater longevity, higher fertility and immigration.
Is it not time for political parties to put the issue of population growth on their agendas? Maybe governments should be taking steps to encourage couples everywhere to have only one child or no children at all, and to start their families later in life. This is not a criticism of those who have been part of large families in the past, just a reflection of the fact that we now face environmental challenges never before considered.
Devising measures that would respect freedom of choice, avoid discrimination, and yet be effective is no easy task. There are also economic arguments to be considered. I would welcome suggestions from your readers. Maybe the starting point is just to discuss the issue.
Chris Davies
Liberal Democrat MEP for the North West
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It is our opinion that we are doing the country and the world as a whole a favour because you only have to walk down the main streets of manchester to see that there are already to many people in this world.
15/12/2007 at 13:51