Fears about climate change have brought back concerns about global population numbers. With the global population set to reach seven billion in a few years time, some argue we are heading for a crisis, as food supplies and energy sources wane in the face of increasing demand. Yet similar arguments have been made throughout history – most notably by Thomas Malthus – and have been proven wrong, as development and human ingenuity have solved the problems posed by apparently natural limits. In this exhilarating debate filmed at the Battle of ideas Spiked’s Brendan O’Neil takes on the Optimum Population Trust’s Roger Martin and argues against ‘finite-itus.’
Recommended links:
- Article by Roger Martin: Overpopulation is the biggest threat to our climate
- Video: Celebrating more people