Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.
Posted on 09/29/2009 10:39:52 AM PDT by angkor
EUROPE, where the so-called population explosion got under way in the 18th century, is once again playing a pioneering role in demographic development. The continent has the lowest fertility rate and the most elderly population in the world, and this population will soon start to shrink. All this makes it a front runner in a demographic trend that sooner or later will reach most of the world.
Pioneers have to advance through difficult terrain. Economists are already fretting over the problem of how social security systems will cope when the post-war baby boomers start collecting their pensions in 2015. In hyper-ageing countries like Italy and Germany, where 1 in 7 people will be over 80 in 2050, it is unclear how a shrinking group of young people can generate the wealth needed to support the growing cohort of elderly citizens. Europe's competitiveness could fall behind younger and growing populations in other world regions.
On the face of it, fewer people seems like good news for the environment. The population of Germany, Europe's most populous country, will shrink by at least 8 million by 2050 and this trend is set to be replicated in many of its neighbours. Remote rural areas, mainly in central and eastern Europe, might become depopulated over time. This should benefit biodiversity as displaced plant and animal species recolonise their old terrain. Given that the world population is still growing by about 200,000 people a day, and the ecological footprint of the human race already lies beyond the limits of sustainability, fewer European mega-consumers will be a blessing for the health of the planet - and fewer North Americans would be even better.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327271.800-population-europes-problems-will-grow-as-it-shrinks.html
(Excerpt) Read more at newscientist.com ...
And this weirdo Gaia worshipping "scientist" Reiner Klingholz exposes a deep-seated and latent murderous streak when he says things like "fewer people seems like good news for the environment," and "Remote rural areas, mainly in central and eastern Europe, might become depopulated over time. This should benefit biodiversity as displaced plant and animal species recolonise their old terrain."
But what really bugs him? Us. Westerners. And espscially "North Americans," to wit "Americans."
He gives his murderous fantasy passing reference that is only magnified by its out-of-place mention in the article: "....fewer European mega-consumers will be a blessing for the health of the planet - and fewer North Americans would be even better."
Socialist countries are like giant ponzy schemes— they depend on ever increasing populations and economic growth. When one of those tips over, they can struggle along on borrowed money, but what will happen when both tip over?
hh
Think of the wonderful compost he would make.
Personally, I think the ever increasing muslim birthrate in Europe is a plan of action. In the 1600-1800’s, when France and Britain were vying for control of Canada, the French expression was: La revanche du berceau (Revenge of the cradle).
Lost me here.
The author's an idiot.
>>> the ecological footprint of the human race already lies beyond the limits of sustainability <<<
Yep.
That is one of that many moonbat assertions made by the esteemed Dr. Klingholz in his “Better living through dying” noodling.
>>> Maybe Reiner could just off himself in honor of The Environment. <<<<
That’s the first question that comes to mind whenever I see these “population = sustainability” nutcase rants.
According to Bono babies in Africa are dying one per second. Then factor in suicides, gun accodents, drunk driving deaths, and everything balances out. To say the least about when floods kill thousands and what not.
"Just look at the development within Europe, where the number of Muslims is expanding like mosquitoes," Krekar said. "Every western woman in the EU is producing an average of 1.4 children. Every Muslim woman in the same countries are producing 3.5 children."
They brought over the Muslims so they could wack ‘em?
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