Quote:
Originally Posted by Walt
Or people could just start having less kids?
"The number of children desired or considered ideal remains highest in western and middle Africa
with an average of 6 children desired. About 70 percent of women who have 4 children still want more
children in this region. In southern and eastern Africa, the picture is significantly different with an
average of 4.5 children desired and an average of 42 percent of women with 4 children who want more.
The desired number of children is much lower in countries in North Africa, Asia, Latin America and the
Caribbean, ranging from 2 to 4."
Population Media Center Blog Archive – Desired Number of Children |
While number of children per family is a good point, and certainly a factor, we should keep degrees of magnitude in perspective here. Clearly population is an issue, or places like China wouldn't have public policies geared towards limiting it.
However, your example perhaps points out a disparity of magnitude. While the typical African family is larger than the typical Chinese or American family, we need to keep other factors included in the picture. I'm thinking namely of the topic of this thread, which is the consumption of meat and dairy and the impact it has on the planet.
For example, take a look at this information:
3. Global and regional food consumption patterns and trends — FAO
You will see that the average meat and dairy consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa is practically a tenth of what it is in "industrialized countries." I imagine if you were to compare it to the U.S. alone, the disparity would be even greater.
Now consider this: the average Sub-Saharan African eats
at least 75 kg (165 lbs.) less meat than the average American each year. Also consider that the grain required to produce just one kilogram (2.2 lbs.) of beef can amount up to 5 kg. (11 lbs.) Now realize that instead of eating that meat, many of these Africans are eating the grains directly.
Some quick (but basic) math: a modest* 4 oz. (113 g.) serving of beef requires 20 oz. (1.25 lbs.) of grain.
I'm assuming you can get anywhere up to 5 to 10 servings of prepared cereal from that amount of grain.
Sure, the families are larger—and I don't deny that population is a problem—but if you want to look at where you can make the most impact, I think the consumption of meat is a good place to start.
It's a question of what you and I can do. I don't know about you, but have no kids, so I'm no where near 4 or more children. So what do I do? Take that as my contribution? Should I start campaigning against Africans, of whom I might never meet? Against a place I may never visit?
I'm not sure North America has a population problem. At least when you look at food consumption. I'd say that if you look at it as food consumption patterns vs. population patterns that the food consumption is the much bigger problem.
*For fun, consider that juicy 10 oz. ribeye, which requires at least 50 oz. (1.4 kg/3.1 lbs.) of grain.