Five Myths About the World’s Population
6th November 2011
Sure, 7 billion is a big number. But most serious demographers, economists and population specialists rarely use the term “overpopulation” — because there is no clear demographic definition.
6th November 2011
Sure, 7 billion is a big number. But most serious demographers, economists and population specialists rarely use the term “overpopulation” — because there is no clear demographic definition.
November 7th, 2011 at 07:39
“… because there is no clear demographic definition.” Eh? That must be news to those who thin herds for a living.
November 7th, 2011 at 10:50
Ah, but the definition of herd overpopulation varies depending on who is defining it.
For hunters in southern Michigan, there is no excess number of deer in the herd. The more deer, the more deer they can shoot and the easier it is to find ’em.
For homeowners in southern Michigan, there is a definite excess number of deer in the herd, because they are busily eating all of the shrubs, flowers, and vegetables (squash blossoms are an especial favorite, as are tulips) that the homeowners have spent good money, time, and effort planting around their houses.
How hunter/homeowners feel about the situation is of course somewhat tangled.
November 7th, 2011 at 10:54
In any case, Malthus will not be denied. We’ve managed so far, but we’ve only postponed the inevitable.