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Climate Brief:Washington Post- "Are we facing a population collapse?" [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-09-05
WAPO Are we facing a population collapse? archive.is/… "Population decline is part of Environmental collapse itself" CURRENT WORLD POPULATION: 8.062 billion Guardian UK Population ‘Really transitional moment’: what should we do about declining fertility rates? As fertility rate hits all-time low in England and Wales, is there cause for concern for the economy and services "In roughly 60 years,world population could plummet to size not seen for centuries" Around the world, and in wealthy countries in particular, the birth rate is dropping. Today, the birth rate in the U.S. is 1.6 babies per woman, significantly below the required replacement rate of 2.1 babies per woman. theatlantic All in all, as Fernández-Villaverde recently explained at a research symposium in London, humanity won’t start to shrink in 2084. It will start to shrink in 2055, if not sooner.-Atlantic Monthly archive.is/... NPR: Over the past century, the world's human population has exploded from around 2 billion to 8 billion. Meanwhile, the average fertility rate has gradually declined. And if that trend continues as it has, we may soon see a crash in the population rate npr.org/ Doomsday Clock Dk images library NPR Chile's plunging birth rate may foreshadow future in U.S. Maps Fertility Rates in North and South America Population decline and climate change: Climate Brief World Population Day:Can Population Decline help with Climate Change? "Yes, population decline can help climate change- but it's not a sufficient solution on its own": Slowing population growth Slowing population growth can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, one study found that if the global population peaked in mid-century and then decreased to 7.1 billion by 2100, carbon emissions could be 41% lower than if the population continued to grow to 15 billion.
Lower fertility rates Lower fertility rates can lead to lower emissions and higher per capita income. Better-educated women tend to have fewer children, later in life, which slows population growth.
Gender equality Lower fertility rates are typically a sign of increased gender equality. Women in leadership roles are more likely to advance initiatives to fight climate change. -Google
The Coming Global Demographic Transformation The discrepancies were not limited to South America. In 2024, Poland’s births were also below the 2.5-percent probability cutoff, as were Estonia’s and Cuba’s and Azerbaijan’s and Sri Lanka’s and Egypt’s. These supposed outlier results aren’t outliers at all—the world is just not having as many babies as the UN had thought it would Wildfire destruction The Apocalyptic Decline in Birth Rates newyorker
Sep 26, 2024 — Although populations in parts of the world are still young and growing, populations in most of it will soon be old and stagnant or contracting.
www.google.com/…
Atlantic Monthly Politics
Should You Be Having More Babies?
It’s time for everyone to engage in the depopulation debate, says Dean Spears, a co-author of After the Spike.
By Hanna Rosin Lower crime and birth rates mean America's prisons are emptying out Transcript NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Keith Humphreys, professor at Stanford, about the falling prison population in the U.S., and the reasons behind that trend.
Climate Brief Population Series: Have we now entered the Age of Depopulation? DECLINING WORLD POPULATION IS A NET POSITIVE The "sperm crisis" refers to the observed decline in sperm counts and overall male fertility observed in many parts of the world over the past few decades. This trend has led to concerns about its potential impact on human reproduction and population growth. While some researchers debate the extent and cause of this decline, there's a growing consensus that male fertility is a significant issue requiring attention. Here's a more detailed look at the "sperm crisis": Evidence of Decline: Declining Sperm Counts: Studies have shown a significant decrease in sperm concentration and total sperm count in men, particularly in Western countries, over the past few decades. Some studies, including one from the BBC, indicate a decline of over 50% since the 1970s.
Other Fertility Issues: There's also evidence suggesting increases in other male reproductive health problems, such as erectile dysfunction, testicular cancer, and decreased testosterone levels. Potential Causes: Environmental Factors: Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (found in plastics, pesticides, and personal care products) is a prominent suspect.
Lifestyle Choices: Obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a sedentary lifestyle are also implicated in declining male fertility.
Delayed Parenthood: Couples are increasingly delaying parenthood, which can impact fertility, especially for women, and may also affect male fertility as men age.
Genetic Factors: While less understood, genetic predispositions may also play a role. Impact and Implications: Infertility: Declining sperm counts and other fertility issues can make it more difficult for couples to conceive naturally.
Population Growth: If the trend continues, it could potentially impact population growth rates in some regions.
Societal Impact: Reduced male fertility could have broader societal implications, affecting the workforce and social structures.
Public Health Concern: Many researchers and organizations are highlighting the need for increased awareness, research, and policy changes to address this issue. Debate and Uncertainty: Extent of the Crisis: While the decline in sperm counts is generally acknowledged, some scientists question whether it truly constitutes a "crisis" and whether it directly translates to a significant decrease in fertility.
Specific Causes: The exact causes of the decline are still being investigated, and there's ongoing debate about the relative contributions of different factors.
Standardized Methodology: Some researchers call for more consistent and standardized methods for studying sperm parameters and fertility to ensure reliable data. In Conclusion: The "sperm crisis" is a complex and evolving issue with significant implications for individual couples and potentially for society as a whole. While more research is needed to fully understand the causes and extent of the problem, there's a growing consensus that male reproductive health is facing challenges that warrant attention and action.
problem, and 27% consider it no problem at all.
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Pollution dk images library
MIGRATION and population
The 12 States That Would Shrink Without International Migration
by Katharina Buchholz , Immigration/migration in the United States Sep 26, 2024
It is a fairly well-known fact that several U.S. states - among them prominent coastal ones - are losing population. One major factor in this development that started some years ago (even before the pandemic) has been domestic outmigration which is sometimes tied to high cost of living. At the same time, international immigration diversified in the United States location-wise, eventually tipping the scales for these states despite many still registering more births than deaths, including California, New York, Hawaii and Illinois. South Korea has once again set a world record for the lowest fertility rate, with the rate dropping to 0.75 births per woman in 2024. This is a continued decline from 2023, when the rate was 0.72, and it is far below the replacement level of 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population. The country's demographic crisis is intensifying, with concerns about its impact on the economy and national security. Key Points: Record Low: South Korea's fertility rate is the lowest globally, continuing a trend of decline South Korea has once again set a world record for the lowest fertility rate, with the rate dropping to 0.75 births per woman in 2024. This is a continued decline from 2023, when the rate was 0.72, and it is far below the replacement level of 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population. The country's demographic crisis is intensifying, with concerns about its impact on the economy and national security.
Below Replacement Rate: The current rate is less than half of the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population -Google Fertility rates, both globally and in the United States, are experiencing a significant decline, reaching historic lows. This trend is characterized by fewer births per woman over her lifetime and a general decrease in the number of births recorded annually -google Opinion | Canada’s fertility rate has plummeted. Maybe we shouldn’t carewww.thestar.com/... There is little evidence for reversing low fertility rates familyinequality.wordpress.com/… . NDC projects population drop to 15m by 2070
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2024/10/18/2003825478 .SOUTH KOREA FACES SEVERE POPULATION DECLINE www.milwaukeeindependent.com/…
"It’s time for everyone to engage in the depopulation debate, says Dean Spears, a co-author of After the Spike" ( More links ): US fertility rate hits record low in 2024, CDC data reveals wsbt.com/… BiH is among the Countries with the largest Population Decline in Europe in the last 30 Years sarajevotimes.com/… . Europe’s population crisis could shave 4% off its GDP fortune.com/... www.nytimes.com/… . www.nytimes.com/… . Australia's birth rate hits rock bottom with severe consequences for economic
www.irishtimes.com/…
gizmodo.com/…
Rats:
archive.is/…
www.france24.com/...
www.deccanchronicle.com/...
www.aol.com/…
Peak population may be coming sooner than we think
www.ft.com/…
New Report on Germany's Birth Rate Causes Alarm For Experts
www.newsweek.com/…
Australia's fertility rate is at a record low.
Last week, Bureau of Statistics data showed Australia's fertility rate was just 1.5 babies per woman in 2023.
www.abc.net.au/...
What size population can Australia sustain? Or should we avoid trying to answer the question?
www.abc.net.au/...
South Korea sets world record with fertility rate dropping to new low
www.google.com/…
Recent
www.mercatornet.com/...
(Thanks for reading Climate Brief) Dk images library READ:
Earth Matters with Meteor Blades
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