High populations are not a problem?
An interesting editorial...
Paul Ehrlich, the author of the 1968 bestseller "The Population Bomb", made a series of striking predictions: that the population was outrunning global food supplies; that hundreds of millions of people would starve to death in the 1970s; that the oceans would be devoid of life by 1979 due to DDT poisoning; and that the US population would plunge to 23 million by 1999 amid a wave of cancers caused by pesticides.
Remarkably, Ehrlich still enjoys respect as an authority on population. Interviewed by the UK's Guardian newspaper as the 7 billion landmark approaches, he opined that there was only a 10 per cent chance of avoiding the collapse of global civilisation.
Although poverty, deprivation and inequality remain all too prevalent, and despite the strain of recent food price increases, long-term trends are all towards a healthier, wealthier, better-fed world.
Sadly for the preachers of "resource wars", the incidence of war and violence has decreased, unevenly but unmistakably, over the past 100 years. More than half of India's population lived in poverty in the early 1970s; now barely a quarter do.
Literacy rates increased in every region of the world over the past two decades, with particularly fast progress in Africa and south and east Asia. Although the 850 million undernourished people around the world are still too many, as a share of global population it is half the level of the early 1970s.
The challenge of meeting the needs of growing economies in developing countries is significant. But it is not insuperable. Studies suggest that a global population of 8 billion to 10 billion by 2050 can be fed, even taking into account richer, more meat-heavy diets.
Improvements in agricultural yields have slowed, but so has population growth. With better fertilisers and crop varieties, African food output could triple, as Asia and Latin America's did from 1960 onwards.
We are not on an unsustainable path of exponential growth. Instead, the world needs one more big push to feed its people over the difficult next half-century.
After that, population growth is likely to level off, and a new challenge will dominate - that of ageing.
http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/industry-insights/econ...
Actually Brit, they said it's because there are too many elderly and not enough social structures to support it. A few decades ago a family might be taking care of one or two grandparents or great aunts & uncles, now they are taking care of 4 to 6. And for longer periods of time. There's also no places for them to go where they can socialize with other old people, and it's very difficult to get live in care for those who are disabled or bed ridden. It has absolutely nothing to do with family structures breaking down.
This is bound to happen as extended family structures break down and people become more self centred..
Indeed Fathimah, indeed!
However isn't it strange knowing that people are the culprits in bringing on their own destruction,we still find ourselves wondering "how on earth did this happen" whenever disasters strike. Guess it's all too easy to simply blame others than accept responsibility!
it's about time to have each dwelling a space to grow own food and livestock.
and where else is that possible... at our roof!
imagine bartering of produce between neighbors... and we'll even help the environment and the air we breath rejuvenate.
organic farming is a must. no chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
we are what we eat :)
No Fathimah. IF we assume all this to be true, then,IMHO, the only thing to change it is to change our attitudes.
As it is WE who create all events.
we do believe these to be signs of the hour. Famine, drought, neglecting the aged, etc so as scary as it reads it should not come as a surprise. Now question is what are the world leaders going to do to overcome these disasters? and what can us lay people do to save and/or shelter ourselves and others from them? Or are we simply supposed to sit back and watch the horrors unfold? Allahu Must3aan!
Whoah...talk about harsh @mohdata...
necessary? really?
and as for Paul Ehrlich, the author of the 1968 bestseller "The Population Bomb" - sounds like he has just got a little to many things wrong to still have credibility!
Agreed Brit. It's starting to happen in the UAE as well. There were some articles on how Emirati families can no longer keep up with the drain taking care of elderly family members is putting on them.
Yep! Water is becoming a commodity and there will be wars over water...
Thank goodness Qatar has de-sal plants..
The greater long-term problem will be clean, drinkable water.
The ageing challenge has already begun - especially for the national health services.
Large populations are certainly good provided the countries concerned know haw to make proper use of them. Some countries have oil and gas, others make industrial goods while still others have manpower which they can share with the ones who dont have their own
Mimi, if you hadn't read that post as a formality before you attacked it, you'd realize it wasn't meant for you and only for those who are so inclined faith-wise. Stop being so biased and stereotyping, not to mention hypocritical. Each and every developed nation has raped nature and environment to get to where it is and it's not your place to patronize the emergent ones when it's their turn to use stuff. And 'more children than can be sustained' is a direct attack on Muslims and an extremely narrow minded comment born of hatred/prejudice. And in addressing which, I must inform you that this happens in poor families in poor parts of the world where the kid has to be an 'extra pair of hands' to bring food home. Completely regardless of religion and born of harsh realities. Please keep your vile thoughts to yourself and quit spreading more hate than the world already suffers.
Yes....this is the land of Allah, so keep destroying the environment and having more children than you can sustain and "Allah" will save you.
Financial worries of raising child
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verse 151 (part):
You should not kill your children for fear of poverty; for We provide sustenance for you and will provide sustenance for them also.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Israa verse 31:
Do not kill your children for fear of want; for it is We Who provide for them, and for you as well. Indeed, their killing is a heinous crime!
To prevent or abstain from having children only for the fear of poverty or how would one meet their expenses is not only against the guidance of Allah Subhanah, but a grave sin in the Sight of the Lord!….for Allah Subhanah is the One Who Alone Provides sustenance for each in creation and their off-spring!
If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your brother and well wisher in Islam,
But more people will die or wars and famine and natural disasters..!
"Although the 850 million undernourished people around the world."
This figure is not accurate! There are 925 million in 2010. That's 75 million more than advertised.
http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20hunger%20facts%202002.htm