2B or not 2B?

Although global warming has focused mankind upon the symptoms of the problem, the central issue from the human viewpoint is the survival of mankind and escape from the inevitable mass starvation and suffering that continued apparently uncontrolled human population growth will produce, and which is already occurring at times in various parts of the world.  That is, how to limit the human population living within a limited resource such as this planet, and what a sustainable population is - given a reasonable standard of living for all and maintaining and preserving the integrity and biodiversity of life on earth.

That is, the slash and burn, feeding an ever increasing human population at all costs approach, with science and technology contributing by simply trying to keep up with the required food production by any means possible – whether safe or sustainable longer-term or not – must stop, but whilst much can be done to stop the destruction of the rainforests and coral reefs and the drive to turn all life into a machine to feed mankind in the short term, the continued drive to increase human population at all costs from many religious groups must be addressed at its heart.

It is understandable that when tribes had to compete against one another for survival, the drive to be the largest, acquire and consume the most and grow the fastest was strong, but for millennia now it has also been clear that the earth and its resources is finite, and that there will inevitably come a time when these separate groups must either conquer all others and become one or unite together under one purpose but many traditions for the good of all.  This time is now, and any further delay will simply lead to a do-it-yourself apocalypse. 

Just as the sustainability of life depends upon integrity and biodiversity, the longer-term viability of society depends critically upon preserving the integrity and diversity of thought processes within that society, and the concepts of free will, ethics and informed consent and decision-making.  In this, the many traditions must unite without subsuming their distinctive colours but in taking the best of all and the restraint that the ‘best’ action at any one time can easily change over time and one must adopt a flexible approach to considered change.

The longer-term sustainable human population with a reasonable standard of living is less than two billion, but clearly it will take over a century to achieve this, even given concerted efforts to limit childbirth to typically one or two children per family, but the sooner that community and religious leaders begin working towards this the sooner the necessary discussions and change will be achieved.  It may perhaps be likened to drink-driving.  At one time drink-driving was viewed with amusement, but within the last few decades and with significant governmental information campaigns the general attitude within the UK has changed to one of unacceptability…