Is global warming an urban myth?

johntheexpat

So long as there is terra tonnes of oxygen too.

DPinBucks

The history of population growth has been pretty constant across the world:
Phase 1 : In pre-industrial societies (eg Europe to the end of the 18th Century), people have children more or less indiscriminately, but food supplies and disease unfortunately ensure that few survive beyond childhood, leaving a low (by today’s standards) but stable population;Phase 2 : In newly-industrial societies (eg Europe to the mid 20th Century), the conception/birth rate does not change much, but improved living conditions (across the board) ensure that far fewer die in childhood -> population boom;Phase 3 : In so-called post-industrial societies (not a good term, in my opinion), increased affluence and the availability of attractive lifestyles mean that children are seen as a liability rather than an asset. A variety of techniques (abstinence, birth control, abortion, etc) ensure that fewer children are born. Those which are have an enormously enhanced life expectancy.The net result will be a stable population when the whole world reaches Phase 3, which it probably will. If you want to predict that at about 10 billion by mid-century, I wouldn’t argue.

A much more potent population issue is going to be the one touched on above: life expectancy coupled with low birth rate. This is already having profound effects on society, and may in itself become a Malthusian time bomb.

BISHI

Sorry to make a 'cross thread link' and I apologise in advance for bringing up religion ............
Abstinence , birth control and abortion are not encouraged in the more religious countries of the world. In fact looking at the linked list it is noticeable that many of the fastest growing populations by % are Islamic countries. Agreed that post industrial societies have lower birth rates and even negative population growth. Unfortunately the most populous nations on the planet are at the beginning of their industrialization phases and are storing up trouble for the future by preferring male offspring to female. This has already resulted in a gender imbalance in certain areas in India and China. Many of the powerful Islamic states missed Industrialization out altogether thanks to massive amounts of natural resources - resources contributing greatly to global warming. Tradition and religion complicating things yet again !!!

mcnoiserdc

Well religion doesn't have that much power on decision to whether having children or not for most of religious, yes with Muslims a bit and numbers tells us so. but even religious people are having less children now with all the information available.