Boom and bust

It is not often that I agree with Carolyn Taylor but I am in full agreement with her when she says that it is the “rapidly increasing (population) numbers which represent the biggest threat to the natural world” (Letters, 12 February).

The world’ s population today is 7.6 billion, 9.6 billion by 2050 and 11.8 billion by 2100. These horrendous statistics will lead to even more poverty, more starvation and more forests being cut down displacing animals and birds to grow food and provide fuel. So much for the natural world and trees which are essential for absorbing carbon.

People cause pollution and greenhouse gases at a faster rate than they can be reduced yet no politician dares to state the obvious that mankind must drastically curb its growth to a more manageable level or risk global wars fought for scarce water and food sources.

CLARK CROSS Springfield Road Linlithgow