Sir David is wrong about population

“"As G K Chesterton put it: 'The answer to anyone who talks about the surplus population is to ask him whether he is part of the surplus population; or if not, how he knows he is not'."

There are a number of people who have reached the point in their lives where they regard themselves as "surplus population", but campaigning by the likes of Francisca Martinez and the Roman Catholic Church prevent them receiving the benefit of assisted suicide.”

“"Population alarmists will rarely be heard expressing a readiness to put their own lives aside for the good of the planet."

I get unsettled with articles that tell you what 'other people' think, without actually asking them.

I would suggest that many people who view the population issue as an ecological concern are very conscious of the fact that they need to limit their own impact on the environment.

I would suggest that many people who advocate increased access to contraception in other countries view population control as a humanitarian issue, particularly in parts of the world where women do not have the ability to control the number of children they have.

By writing an article like this you are being disingenuous. Firstly, because you over-simplifying a complex issue but, more importantly, because you are labeling people concerned about overpopulation as anti-humanitarian. You are basically propagating a prejudiced stereotype.”

“@ 4-Stroke: I think you mean pawns. Although, given your monicker, maybe you didn't.”

“Unfortunately the original letter misses the point of Sir David's comments in some important ways. You correctly state that the world can produce enough food for the 7bn inhabitants but the truth is that it is not possible, now, to transport it to where it is needed so we have a problem with logistics not production. This is exacerbated by economic barriers which mean that even if we could transport it, those who require it cannot afford it.
Where Sir David has a point, whether explicitly made or not, is that mankind is the only inhabitant of this planet which is responsible for wiping out species of animal or plant in such a wholesale manner as has been the case for decades if not centuries.
Its not a question of celebrity, here we have someone who has spent a lifetime considering and championing life on earth of all kinds. Passionate about his subject and with more knowledge and insight than anyone I know his comments are worth listening to and criticism has to be better thought through if you want it to be taken seriously.”

“Unfortunately for Sir David, like so many other "celebrity" figures are starting to become porns of the pro-global warming, pro veggie lobbyists. Its an "you are either with us or against us" game that is being played. David Bellamy did not play ball and felt the wrath of the BBC. David Attenborough unfortunately sold out, and will probably regret it at some stage.”

“@Francisca Martinez. The fact that you are pro-catholic and therefore against birth control doesn't have anything to do with your argument does it? No, thought not.”