You can expect governments and corporations to freak out over falling birth rates because both are wedded to capitalism which depends on continued growth and expansion. After all, we are not world citizens, we are consumers and we are expected to buy, buy and buy more. Fewer humans means lower profits, lower GDP and capitalism has absolutely nothing to offer a shrinking economy.

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We need a new economic paradigm that excels in a state of degrowth.

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Why would anyone want to start a family in the midst of fear and uncertainty? It's not like we have any global leadership that is surely and calmly leading us to a better future. Instead we have capitalists leading us around by the nose making decisions based on profitability.

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In 1950 we had a world population of 2.5 billion. If we were an intelligent race we would have capped the human population long ago. If we had we would not be facing the climate problems we face today. And to hold the population steady each family could still raise 2.1 children each.

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Are we better off today with 8 billion humans than we were in 1950 with 2.5 billion?