A quick look at population growth [View all]

[GliderGuider]

There is a lot of misunderstanding about human population growth. In particular, a quasi-religious belief system has sprung up around the idea that the global population growth rate has been declining recently. This is seen as a positive development, based on the salvationist idea that this decline in the growth rate will soon translate into a decline in our absolute numbers. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that this is happening, at least on a global scale. Here are three graphics which illustrate that point in various ways.


[center]
Population growth rates are inextricably tied to technology ,
specifically the dominant technologies of energy extraction.



The world's net annual population increase since the Neolithic Age.
The world's absolute population growth is currently about as high as it has ever been throughout history.



Every year since 1980, the world's population has increased by about 78 million.
That's as much as another Germany every year.[/center]

Best wishes for de-growth, but don’t get your hopes up.
to hatrack. I mentioned it...