The Environmental Atheist

Japan has recently become concerned about plummeting birth rates.

"The trend towards having fewer children will have grave impact on the economy and society as it slows economic growth, increases the burden for social security and taxes, and reduces the vitality of regional society."

Of course, they could do what other developed nations do - something like increase immigration. I think we've been conditioned to think of growth - population growth, economic growth - as positives, because it tends to make a few fuckers really rich. The fact is, both of those things are driving environmental degradation and world hunger. When will it be acceptable for economies and populations to shrink?

Labels: economics