Readers respond to an article by Devi Sridhar on how to tackle the drop in birthrates globally
Prof Devi Sridhar’s fine article gives a broad overview of a critical issue facing humanity that is far too often avoided: overpopulation (When desperate measures to persuade women to have children fail, it’s time for fresh thinking, 2 April). She gives sub-Saharan Africa as an example, but the issue applies globally.
We are over 8 billion people on a planet that scientists estimate could sustainably support around 2 billion at a modest western living standard. Yes, fertility rates – the number of children a woman gives birth to – are falling, but too slowly. The world’s population is still rising by 80 million every year, each of whom will need food, water, accommodation and more, when these are already in short supply.
