The rate of growth is now linear, but we are adding the equivalent of 2.5 Canadas every year.

If this trend holds, global population could peak in 2030 at 7.6 billion.

The DTM is an observation of past behaviour, not a predictive theory. No universal explanation has been advanced for the decline in birth rates.

IMPACT = Population x Affluence x Technology Humanity’s Impact on the Biosphere

Do increases in food production follow or precede population growth? Politics and economics say they follow growth, ecology says they drive growth. Asking, “How will we find enough food to feed this growing population?” is like asking, “How will we find enough fuel to feed this growing fire?”

The change in our cultural story is happening one person at a time - every time someone changes a light bulb, the light bulb changes them. The evidence for this change is the unexpected drop in fertility rates in the last 20 years. The drop in TFR has been driven by individual choices, not by policies or resource constraints. Humanity has a big problem, it will take a while to turn around. We may have just enough time…

Everything we do is a choice. Every choice we make affects the future. What choices are you making?

Promote population reduction Promote lower-tech solutions Prevent urban sprawl into rural areas.

This presentation has been prepared by Paul Chefurka Ottawa, Canada Web: © September, 2010 Public Domain: This work may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner and for any purpose whatsoever, with no restrictions.