Climate solution is to limit population size

IN democratic societies it is customary to have general elections every few years, which invariably tends to force Governments into short term planning, the antithesis of what is needed with any long term public capital projects. The focus will always tend to be directed on the next election.

For reasons best known to themselves, politicians have chosen to take it on themselves to address the problem of global warming and set themselves targets for decarbonisation with the year 2050 a favourite end date. The climate does not recognise time limits and works instead on the basis of infinity.

In most spheres of human activity there is usually a balance to be struck between supply and demand. Producers will supply what consumers demand so, all else being equal, the more consumers, the greater will be the opportunity to meet that demand. The atmosphere surrounding the planet will respond accordingly, but is of a finite size .

Some 50 years ago, I started writing in the press that there were increasing difficulties if human demand continued to increase when faced with a fixed supply, even though climate change was not then foremost in anyone’s mind.

The solution appeared obvious and absolutely nothing to do with politics. It is interesting to note that the only country to be seriously concerned with overpopulation and to have produced laws to limit family size is the only one (as I write) not intending to participate in this latest talking shop on climate change.

If politicians continue to introduce expensive palliatives rather than address the root causes of global warning, there will only be worsening atmospheric effects. Do we really have to wait until world population reaches totally unsustainable levels before we realise that?

Anthony G Phillips Salisbury