Dear FoW

Yes, I have been shouted down as a racist and a fascist for suggesting that
if there were fewer humans on this planet it would increase the probability
of a decent quality of life for a greater proportion of them (assuming, of
course, fair distribution of wealth).  This happened at the London School of
Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) about four years ago at a meeting on
climate change.  'Population', it seemed to me, was the rhinoceros in the
room, and I thought it was time it was pointed to.  An enraged young white
man accused me of being a racist because I wanted to see 'fewer black
people'.  I had, in fact, said 'fewer people' and had I been allowed to say
my next sentence, it would have pointed out that in terms of pollution and
resources it is approximately 50 times more disastrous for the planet for an
American child, and 35 times more disastrous for a European child than for,
say, a Ugandan child to be born.

However, I think the climate has changed on this topic.  There is now less
resistance to thinking about it, and Sir David Attenborough has publicly
agreed with me!

Those of us who are not priveleged to work directly in the field of
population control can try to persuade politicians to give money to those
who do this work.  Making birth control methods available to women and
making it easy for people to seek advice is apparently very effective.  Of
course, the cosy consensus ends when we consider the role of sexism in
overpopulation and sexism's connection with religion.  (I won't be shouted
down the next time, I'll be burned as a witch.)

One thing I regard as totally unrealistic:  going on as we are now.

Regards,
Marie Parker