Overpopulation

The following is from the column "Earthweek: A diary of the Planet" by Steve Newman and appeared in the April 4, 2009 edition of The Tacoma News Tribune: "One of the United States' most influential science advisors says that the number of humans on the planet has exceeded Earth's "limits of sustainability." Speaking prior to a conference in Paris of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, State Department chief scientist Nina Federoff said that famines affecting a billion people could threaten global food security this century. The world's population has already exceeded 6 billion and is predicted to rise to 9 billion within 50 years unless action is taken soon. "The planet can't support many more people," Federoff told the BBC. Her warning echoed comments by John Beddington, Britain's chief scientist, in which he forecast a "perfect storm" of dood, water and energy shortages by 2030."