Open Thread

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: limiting births to stop global warming.

COUPLES who have more than two children are being “irresponsible” by creating an unbearable burden on the environment, the government’s green adviser has warned. Jonathon Porritt, who chairs the government’s Sustainable Development Commission, says curbing population growth through contraception and abortion must be at the heart of policies to fight global warming. He says political leaders and green campaigners should stop dodging the issue of environmental harm caused by an expanding population.

Despite the absurdity of the global warming myth, doesn't such population control ignore social Darwinism inasmuch as it will greatly reduce the replication of the most successful genes while being less limiting of the least successful? Mightn't this become a problem to our species down the road?

Furthermore, entitlement programs depend on expanding populations. If populations begin shrinking, won't taxes continually have to be raised around the world in order to fund social programs?