DUSTI BECKER

'In  my lifetime human population has more than doubled. In 1954, there were  2.7 billion people - soon we'll be 8 billion! Humans cause climate  change, ocean acidification, and many species extinctions. We are making  the planet unlivable for ourselves and other creatures.

Everyone  wants a better standard of living - a huge problem, because humanity at  8 billion is not sustainable. It's time to scale down the human  enterprise. The most humane way to do that is cut back on consumption  and births. People especially in the rich world must consume less, phase  out eating meat, and embrace small families. Quality, not quantity.

Young  couples, please put off having children until you are educated and  truly ready. Feel good and right about not having children. Use  contraception. If you want children, be gentle with their future world  by having just one. Adopt if you have the means and want a big family.

Let's  celebrate small families and end subsidies that encourage large ones.  Let's make sure young women have access to good educational options and  careers. Let's get our numbers back to around 3 billion.'