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The Coming Population Crash
312 pages, 2010
science & nature
1064 books
economics & politics
987 booksAs a result of lower fertility, life expectancy is rising in every area of the world. The most dramatic increases are predicted for less developed societies and parts of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia that have suffered centuries of high mortality. In fact, despite their rapidly growing populations, neither Nigeria nor Pakistan will likely have a major migration problem for decades to come. It remains to be seen how quickly developing nations will adjust to this new global situation. For example, some studies suggest that rural-urban migration rates may actually increase as fewer people find ways to survive on farms.
Fred Pearce's book, The Coming Population Crash, challenges the common belief that the world's population is spiraling out of control. He argues that the global population is actually stabilizing and will soon start to decline.
Pearce explores the implications of declining birth rates worldwide. He suggests that this trend could lead to an aging population, with more elderly people than young ones, which could have significant social and economic impacts.
The book highlights the crucial role of women in controlling population growth. Pearce finds that when women are educated and have access to family planning, they tend to have fewer children, which can help to stabilize population growth.
Pearce digs into the environmental consequences of population growth. He suggests that while a smaller population might ease some environmental pressures, it won't solve all our environmental problems.
In The Coming Population Crash, Pearce paints a picture of a future where the world's population is declining. He encourages readers to see this not as a crisis, but as an opportunity to create a more sustainable and equitable world.
