Can we be sure the world's population will stop rising?

[JU_88]

Originally Posted by Tribesman

Try the link Oberon provided.
Shortages don't stop it

....Not yet they dont. But when it gets so bad that most kids dont live long enough to have kids? .....'The unknown stretching point' suggests that it can and will get much worse than mere 'shortages' what about total deprevation and resource wars?
If what we have now is clearly unstustainable, then its obviously not going to be able to continue for and another century or two is it? we have to change it.
Population growing + Enviroment deteriorating = forced decline in the end.
Mankind cant continue to 'live for the now' as though infanite growth is sustainable. if we are going to continue to embrace greed and irresponsiblity, we will get whats coming to us eventually.

I like what Oberons swedish guy is saying, but one of the biggest questions I have with it -is; How will the enviroment be able to cope with 10 billion + living by near western standards (even if we go green). Food production/consumption alone would be a huge challenge. The way the economic situation is deteriorating now, there is no way we are going to end poverty in time to level off at 9 billion.
The entire global economic model would need to be redesigned in order to accomplish what he is suggesting.
Over consumption and waste would have to be brought under control. And the 'continous growth' model of the 20th centrury - scrapped.