Long-Term Energy Solutions: The Truth Behind the Silent Lie

I commend Albert Bartlett for discussing the problem of overpopulation. In my experience, scientists almost universally agree that the problems of resource depletion and environmental degradation are in-trinsically linked to population growth. And yet, more than 30 years after a US government report concluded that “no substantial benefits would result from continued growth of the nation’s population,” ¹ there is virtually no public discourse of the problem, at least in the US. The obvious reason for that lack is the rightward drift of the political center of mass over the past few decades, which has led to equating family planning with abortion.

The concept of family planning has broad general approval in the US. This is evident in that 90% of women in this country give birth to three or fewer children in their lifetimes. The vast majority of Americans are exercising birth control, be it by abstinence, contraception, or abortion. They are asking, “What is the optimal number of people for my family?” And once they have an answer, they’re taking steps to reach that goal. The goal of concerned scientists should be to persuade Americans to ask the same question, not just for their families but for the nation and the world. Breaking the silence on overpopulation will no doubt draw attacks from a vocal minority, but if there is one thing science should stand for, it is open debate of the facts. To remain silent is to abandon our responsibility to future generations.