The Other Variable
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/07/oregon_state_researchers_concl.html
In the media, people talk about reducing the environmental footprint of individuals. This is good, this is wise, but it's missing the big ticket item: Reducing our population. The simple truth is that the fewer people there are in the world, the more resources each of them can use while still having a sustainable system. This is part of why I advocate small families (or rather, reproducing at or below replacement rate): I think a world with fewer people all living well and sustainably is better than a world with more people all living poorly on a desolate planet. If you want the best possible world for your children (and grandchildren), have few of them.
In the media, people talk about reducing the environmental footprint of individuals. This is good, this is wise, but it's missing the big ticket item: Reducing our population. The simple truth is that the fewer people there are in the world, the more resources each of them can use while still having a sustainable system. This is part of why I advocate small families (or rather, reproducing at or below replacement rate): I think a world with fewer people all living well and sustainably is better than a world with more people all living poorly on a desolate planet. If you want the best possible world for your children (and grandchildren), have few of them.