Is it more effective to reduce Per Capita Consumption? Part C Is it more effective to reduce Population, or Per Capita Consumption?

If a = b = 2, then 10 X b is bigger BUT if a = 2 billion, and b = 2, In C20th population increased X 5 and consumption X 10. Which was more important? Which is bigger: 5 X a OR 10 X b ? It all depends on the values of a and b If a = b = 2, then 10 X b is bigger BUT if a = 2 billion, and b = 2, then 5 X a is bigger ANSWER: Population, which started at ~ 1.2 billion and went to 6 billion. Consumption was modest initially.

What about recycling? In the UK, up to 80 lifetimes of responsible recycling is completely cancelled out by the arrival of one more person via the airport or maternity ward. - Population Matters UK

World Population Graph OVERSHOOT* US Census Bureau * Global Footprint Network

Other points of comparison A theoretical person has zero consumption when compared to any actual person. If we cut consumption in any area, savings are often spent on other things, e.g. travel, so no net gain may be made. If we share income with other people or causes, total environmental impact remains unchanged. While using renewables may reduce per capita fossil fuel consumption, we need to check out the EROEI of renewables (i.e. check the maths). In some cases it is negative.

Page 36 “What is the Minimum Energy Investment that a Sustainable Society Must Have?” Charles Hall et al., Energies 2009, 2, 25-47; doi:10.3390/en20100025

OLD and NEW TESTAMENT Jesus chose 12 disciples Jacob had 12 sons from whom the 12 tribes of Israel were descended Jesus chose 12 disciples from the existing population PROCREATION NEW CREATION Image courtesy of Greenleaf designs/FreedigitalPhotos.net

We can’t ‘have our cake and eat it too’

Koala in clear felled forest, its natural habitat now removed. (This koala was possibly rescued by the photographer)

‘These laws are not mere words …they are your life!’ Summary To counterbalance the impacts of BETTER MEDICAL CARE and IMPROVED LIVING STANDARDS, we need to first stabilise, then reduce global population in order to combat global warming and tackle biodiversity loss. This is a response which demonstrates gratitude for both the gift of better medical care and that of higher living standards. ‘These laws are not mere words …they are your life!’ (Deuteronomy 32:47)

Thank you Nola Stewart August 2014 Email: nst332769@bigpond.com