The US National Academy of Science Report concludes that even draconian restrictions on childbirth, pandemics and a Third World War, with casualties similar to World War II (50 – 80 million deaths) would scarcely make a dent in the trajectory of world population growth in the next 85 years. Climate change, war, reduced mortality and fertility, and increased maternal age, none of these change the prediction materially. Only cutting consumption of natural resources and enhanced recycling would improve sustainability.
This means that, added to climate change, that, it looks like being a rocky, unsettled, violent planet as we progress through the current century. Epicurus would advocate the metaphorical “garden” approach, where groups of like-minded people gather together, not necessarily as communes (those didn’t work too well), but as support groups, both moral and practical. He would also advocate avoiding those with whom you have nothing in common, the control freaks and bullies, and find a way of life which is pleasant and fulfilling, relying as little as possible on corporations, governments and self-important people and organisations. Turn your back on consumerism but keep educating yourself and finding fulfilling activities that give you pleasure and a sense of achievment.
One of the best ways to reduce population growth is to generate more wealth. Rich countries tend to have lower birth rates than poor ones, so if everyone was rich, population growth would be slower. In the UK, as in most of Europe, birth rates are below replacement level.
“the subject people won’t speak about”
On the contrary, people talk about it all the time, and have wild misconceptions about it, including you. It’s a boogeyman the wealthy and “bourgeoisie” to demonize and blame poor people for the environmental crisis they’ve caused:
https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/01/family-planning-environment-capitalism/
http://www.monbiot.com/2009/09/29/the-population-myth/
Btw, WW3 would most likely take us back to the Cambrian era, so it would certainly solve the population issue 😛
What I am about to say is well meant and for your own good. I am old enough to be your grandfather, so I do have some experience. I offer this advice for the benefit of your career.
If you are a teacher and you come across as constantly angry about every subject, and are impatient with everyone who has a different opinion to your own, the students will be be frightened to say anything for fear of being “wrong” about what they say. They will learn nothing. Is this what you want?
No offense, but it’s really annoying when people publish opinion pieces or youtube videos or whatever with open comments and then get angry and disapproving of comments who disagree with their premise and point of view. If you don’t want contrary views being voiced, and just an echo chamber, don’t have a comment thread, at least not a public one. I haven’t made one single “angry” comment, all I did was link to two heavily sourced articles from environmental researchers who debunk the claims you half-heartedly made.
I’m also not a teacher, I haven’t a clue where you got that idea.