So, the fewer humans argument is popular in countries with a low population density, or generally in the first world where populations have peaked and are projected to decline if they are not doing so already. I’m in Canada. It’s a big talking point here.
When you study demographics, though, you start getting a different picture. 1st worlders have a HUGE per capita resource footprint compared to 3rd worlders. Like 10x or more. Our 40 million punches like 400 million in the developing world, which is not something to be proud of.
The point I’m trying to make is that anything we do in wealthier countries that reduces per capita consumption has an outsized effect globally. A car is over 10x more massive than a bike, and the costs reflect that however you measure it, be it in energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, etc.
So, the fewer humans argument is popular in countries with a low population density, or generally in the first world where populations have peaked and are projected to decline if they are not doing so already. I’m in Canada. It’s a big talking point here.
When you study demographics, though, you start getting a different picture. 1st worlders have a HUGE per capita resource footprint compared to 3rd worlders. Like 10x or more. Our 40 million punches like 400 million in the developing world, which is not something to be proud of.
The point I’m trying to make is that anything we do in wealthier countries that reduces per capita consumption has an outsized effect globally. A car is over 10x more massive than a bike, and the costs reflect that however you measure it, be it in energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, etc.