11 July was World Population Day. In the past couple of decades talking about reducing the world's population has become increasingly politically incorrect. Having children is an inalienable right, but, while at one time messages about limiting family size were common, that is not so today - even in the developing world. Perhaps in high income countries it is not surprising that limiting population size is no longer an issue, since many of them are facing declining populations and in fact, need the immigrants that they so addiduously try to keep out. But in low income countries population growth continues to be a problem and once again, there are calls to limit family size - which has positive effects both on individual families and on nations. But, it is all too easy for those of us who are at the higher end of the income spectrum to call for the poor to limit their families, without thinking that this is something we should also consider. In terms of ecological footprint, although the poor certainly contribute, those of use who live in big houses, drive cars, fill our swimming pools and water our gardens regularly use far more of the Earth's resources than a family of 5 or 6 in Masiphumelele or Alexandra, for example. Our resource use is huge. One of our children will use the resources of many children from a poor family. Limiting population is a global issue - in terms of resource use, health and the general well being of the planet. Think about it.
Bridget Farham Editor https://www.bizcommunity.com