So don't worry about debt, keep the economy gong with consumption and so on.

But we need to worry about the environment and do more.

Says it all really.

I recognise contradictions, do you?

Individual,
No, I haven't answered my own question. Once the planet is stuffed then a lower population won't unstuff it!

You seem to be so obsessed with the population that you forget everything else, including the reason why the population can be a problem!

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Chris Lewis,
Of course I recognise contradictions. And I recognise why apparent contradictions are not what they appear to be.

In this case it's because the value of economic activity is not proportional to the amount of environmental damage it creates.

including the reason why the population can be a problem!
Aidan,
Too many humans IS the problem !

individual,
Your delusional answer proves my point!

Environmental degradation is the problem. The number of humans is a contributing factor to that, but nowhere near as big a factor as the attitude the humans have towards nature.

Environmental degradation is the problem.
Aidan,
And, who do you think causes the environmental degradation then ? Mud crabs, Clown fish & echidnas ?

individual,
There is of course some human involvement; were there not, it probably wouldn't even be recognised as environmental degradation. But the simplistic notion that population is to blame for everything fails to take several things into account:

• Much of the environmental degradation is the result of past rather than present human actions. For example, consider the impact of rabbits and foxes on the Australian environment. While you're at it, consider the fact that their numbers were never proportional to the number of humans here.

•Different people have different impacts on the environment. In the past, environmental impact has been strongly correlated with standard of living, though there have long been things that could be done to reduce environmental impact without reducing standard of living. But the relationship is breaking down because technology enables an increase in efficiency, and also enables the harvesting of resources that would otherwise go to waste (such as wind).

• Environmental impact isn't always negative. It's not just a case of damage mitigation; people can actively improve the environment.