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We should be wary of blaming ‘overpopulation’ for the climate crisis (theconversation.com)
2 points by thg on Jan 31, 2020 | hide | past | favorite | 2 comments



I disagree with reasoning of this article. Not inequality is the reason for our economic woes. If all people on this earth would be living in conditions of the first world, our resource problems would be significant. Of course there are the big corps with a disproportional impact, but these big corps produce because they have consumers.

> the consumption of the world’s wealthiest 10% produces up to 50% of the planet’s consumption-based CO₂ emissions, while the poorest half of humanity contributes only 10%

Without these inequalities the percentages would look better, but certainly not the absolute environmental impact. On the contrary...

What I agree this topic could increase the inequality and people least responsible could suffer the most. So until this inequality isn't addressed, refusal to take part in this discussion might not be a bad choice. Any conclusion and measures here would only affect later generations if you don't want to start a war and kill a lot of people.

Maybe we get lucky and we are we will refocus this consumption, have better technologies or more sensible policies that we don't have to.


Overpopulation is a real, critical issue. Even if it does not directly relates to climate change, it is in big part what drives our impact on the environment.




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