Readers respond to an article by Jonathan Kennedy, debating whether Earth's growing population is a positive development. The responses highlight concerns about climate change, species extinctions, pollution, and global inequality, arguing against cheering population growth and advocating for women's empowerment and fair taxation instead of relying on cheap labor from population increases.
Why we shouldn’t cheer Earth’s growing population
PopulationClimate crisisExtreme weatherEnvironmentWorldMigrationWomen
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Readers respond to an article by Jonathan Kennedy, debating whether Earth's growing population is a positive development. The responses highlight concerns about climate change, species extinctions, pollution, and global inequality, arguing against cheering population growth and advocating for women's empowerment and fair taxation instead of relying on cheap labor from population increases.
Trending- 1 31 May: Jonathan Kennedy's article 'Are there billions more people on Earth than we thought? If so, it’s no bad thing' published.
- 2 4 June: Reader responses published in The Guardian.
- Continued population growth could worsen climate change, species extinctions, pollution, and global inequality
- Empowering women and implementing fair taxation are suggested as solutions to manage population impacts and improve lives
- Failure to acknowledge Earth's limits could lead to further transgression of planetary boundaries
What: A debate is ongoing regarding the implications of Earth's growing population, with readers responding to Jonathan Kennedy's view that it's 'no bad thing.' Critics argue that population growth exacerbates climate change, species extinction, pollution, and inequality, advocating for women's empowerment and fair taxation as solutions.
When: 2025-06-04 (article published); 31 May (Jonathan Kennedy's original piece); mid-2080s (projected population peak); 2100 (UN projections for population scenarios).
Where: Global context. Specific mention of Muswell Hill, London, and Melbourne, Australia for reader locations.
Why: Jonathan Kennedy's article suggested that a potentially undercounted global population is 'no bad thing.' Readers disagree, citing environmental degradation, resource depletion, and social inequality as reasons not to cheer population growth, and to challenge the 'cornucopian perspective.'
How: The debate is conducted through reader responses to an opinion piece, discussing historical population control measures, economic implications (cheap labor), and environmental impacts, emphasizing women's empowerment and fair taxation.