This is the correct take on population conversations. Tie it to the standard of living, recognize that everyone wants a high (i.e., American) standard of living, then acknowledge that it's easier for the planet to support 10 billion people with a high standard of living than 100 billion.
The key point to add, though, is that the only way to slow population growth is to give women economic autonomy and political power. Turns out top-down stuff like China's one child policy (or India's U.S.-backed population control measures) aren't actually associated with lowering birthrates, but giving women control over having kids is.
This is the correct take on population conversations. Tie it to the standard of living, recognize that everyone wants a high (i.e., American) standard of living, then acknowledge that it's easier for the planet to support 10 billion people with a high standard of living than 100 billion.
The key point to add, though, is that the only way to slow population growth is to give women economic autonomy and political power. Turns out top-down stuff like China's one child policy (or India's U.S.-backed population control measures) aren't actually associated with lowering birthrates, but giving women control over having kids is.