A smaller California’s big rewards

Re “Birth rates and immigration law,” editorial, May 9

It is a shame that The Times Editorial Board puts money ahead of quality of life when it comes to the news of a slower U.S. population growth rate and a population decline in California last year.

But even if the economy is your No. 1 issue, worrying that we won’t have enough people to do needed jobs is ridiculous. The U.S. population continues to go up as our economy continues to automate. There will be fewer jobs with more people, and that is not good for any economy.

Remember that the U.S. still grew by more than 1 million people in 2020. And if California loses some people? Maybe we won’t have to spend billions widening as many freeways.

I welcome this news because it means more available water, cleaner air, manageable classrooms, less destruction of nature and less traffic. There is a trade-off for everything. The media need to start seeing the positives of slower growth.

A smaller population means a better quality of life for all Californians, even if the big corporations are unhappy because they cannot sell as much here.

ALEXANDRA PAUL Pacific Palisades

The Times has reported on high housing costs, coastal cities planning retreats because of sea level rise and homes destroyed by wildfires. The Earth is overpopulated. California is overpopulated.

We have an accelerating age imbalance due to low birth rates, but climate change is a direct consequence of unconstrained growth and will worsen for the next several decades, degrading the quality of life for all people. Reversing population growth is essential for the sake of future generations.

As the saying goes, a journey of 1,000 steps requires making the first step. We should embrace our slowing growth.

NORMAN RODEWALD Moorpark

This was a more livable state when we had a population of 30 million rather than nearly 40 million. California is still by far the most populous state in the country. I believe we can do just fine with fewer people.

We should celebrate the decrease in population and not try to find more human beings to add to our overburdened infrastructure.

FRANCINE OSCHIN Encino

Robert Gauthier Los Angeles Times LESS TRAFFIC and cleaner air are among the advantages of a declining population, some say. Above, a nearly empty 110 Freeway on April 28, 2020.