Uncontrolled growth of human populations,geological background,and future prospects

The geological history of the Earth is replete with examples of animals proliferating to numbers that exceeded the ability of their environments to provide support. Enormous numbers and widespread distributions of many animals sometimes have been followed by drastic reductions in numbers of individuals and even by complete extinction of species. Humans of many nations are following the same trend of population growth beyond the ability of resources to insure adequate food, clothing, shelter, safety, and transport and beyond the ability of Earth to accommodate the wastes. Human population is now 5.4 billion, with a present doubling time estimated at about 35 years. Is this uncontrolled proliferation also to be followed by severe reduction or even extinction? If not, how may human population be stabilized or reduced to a level commensurate with resources and waste disposal—more effective contraceptives, increased abortion, high taxes on procreation? An approach more effective than religion or political control may be through better education (increased percentage literacy) that is known to correlate with lower birth rates and increased national income per capita in the about 167 nations of the world. If leadership cannot soon rise to face this situation, human inhabitation of the Earth may become much more complicated in the not distant future.