Scientist warns of major global crisis by 2030 - 19 March 09

One of Britain's leading scientists is warning that the growth of the world's population will reach crisis point by the year 2030.

John Beddington, the UK government's chief scientific adviser, says food and water supplies will come under severe pressure as the Earth's population swells to 8.5 billion people.

He says the answer is in embracing new agricultural technology.

Harry Smith reports.

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[drsugarcane]

What a big lie. The earth has enough to feed all. Stop forcing urbanization.

[TheKmank1]

@tiagandremo Yeah being one of the only countries able to reduce their population through a well structured plan, they are sooooo in the wrong. Damn China.

[johnny24357]

"all the nations of the world working together" yeah right. Were fucked

[tiagandremo]

this is china's fault

[pronatalist]

@thomas007

Isn't it all the rampant contraceptive pushing, that's encouraging irresponsibility, by pretending that human copulation can somehow magically be divorced from human reproduction?

There are some good arguments for possibly somewhat more "teenage" pregnancies. What about 18 and 19 year olds, who responsibly marry first? Word "teenage" is a modern invention anyway, as not long ago, teenagers were effectively adults, and still are, in many developing countries.

No need to "compensate"

[pronatalist]

@thomas007

I see nothing wrong with allowing human birthrates to greatly exceed deathrates. I don't buy all that gloom-and-doom Malthusian poverty religion crap. Natural pop accumulation is GOOD, for more and more people would be glad to live.

I would agree somewhat with libs who would claim that as more people reach childbearing age, we should expect more people to become sexually active. What I don't agree with, is the irresponsibility going on. Let them open legs, but be responsible parents

[xxchimakaraxx]

*sigh* oh my, another way that the humans will make themselves extinct, yawn

[MsColdCanada]

@thomas007 I must be missing your point because I was offended. It's not the first time in the 17 mths since he was born. You don't know how many tactless people have no qualms about coming right out and telling a perfect stranger that it's selfish or insane to bring a child into the world today. I've had it happen in person a few times and once is too many. Some are so adamant about it that they look at my child as if he's about to leap from his stroller and murder the world.

[thomas007]

@MsColdCanada I didnt say that.  You had the child at an age I think is more than suitable. I think you're missing my point. Sorry to have offended you.

[MsColdCanada]

@thomas007 Oh, no! You are not going to managed to guilt me into believing that my having only one child to raise who I had at the age of 37 is a "selfish need". No way. I'm not having it. You can go preach that to someone else or you can go get stuffed. Either one.