Today, we’re again taking a break from our usual format, to give more time and to encourage you, our valued listeners, to send in more questions, for us to explore in future episodes.

In this episode, we discuss a question set by an attendee of last year’s iteration of Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted, the live incarnation of this podcast. This was a ticketed event, unrecorded, and held in front of a live audience.

During the interval of this event we asked attendees to set questions for the panel to discuss in the second half. However, due to the number submitted, we didn’t get around to discussing them all, so we are now slowly working our way through those questions.

The question discussed in today’s episode was set by Daryl, and is as follows:

“Given human population growth and consumerism is so impactful, should we think about a 1 child policy, like China did, and build our population through immigration?”

William discusses the significant environmental impact of having children, due to the resources required to raise them. Stuart notes that only dictatorships can enforce a one-child policy and points out that some places prefer male children. Stuart believes we produce enough food to feed the world, but much of it is used to feed livestock instead of humans, and this livestock feeds a small percentage of us. The conversation then shifts to immigration and the barriers that are often put up.

William then brings up advancements in medical science and crop production as drivers of population growth and questions the practicality of enforcing a one-child policy. Stuart brings up the subject of the societal belief of the right to have children and suggests questioning these traditional rites of passage activities. William raises the societal expectation of marriage and children, and Stuart responds by saying it’s okay to choose a different path.

The discussion touches on the movement of people and the idea that all humans can trace their ancestry back to two women, highlighting our common heritage.

Stuart suggests an action: reflect on your own behaviour, views, and habits regarding family building and rites of passage.

William’s action is to see yourself as the sum of your parts and consider the many people we have all descended from.

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This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice.

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

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