I still hear from time to time the old myth being propogated that the world in overpopulated and that we need to deal with the issue urgently. In truth the problem we now have is underpopulation, with the majority of Western nations are living at or rapidly heading towards a rate of zero population growth (through birth not immigration that is).
A very helpful article I read was "Too Many People" which listed 10 common myths and then rebutted them one by one. We need to have information like this in our heads so that when a comment is made we can actually come back with something intelligent rather than just standing there and allowing another false idea to prosper. So go on have a read, it's an easy short article.
My favourite fact from the article was the information that the entire population of the world could fit into the state of Texas! And not just fit but with about 400 square metres each! Not that we would all want to live in Texas, and not that all the land is probably usuable, but it does show that we are certainly not about to fall off the edge of the planet with overcrowding.
So there is a nice bit of information for the next dinner party you attend :)
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