You can't prevent overpopulation: it has already occured. The carrying capacity of the planet is far exceeded. A reduction in population would have immediate benefits: less manufacturing, less energy use, less pollution, less consumption, more land available for wildlife instead of stock/agricuture. But what that means is "no growth" and "less money", which is not a popular concept in economics, politics and wealthy…
I remember reading somewhere that one the greenest thing you can do is have less children. I cannot find it now but iirc, if every one on the planet had one less child, climate crisis would be averted in so many years/decades. It makes sense that intuitive level but would love to verify details. Your comment makes me wonder if it is indeed about “save the planet” without scarifying “growth” is what most people care a…
It is beyond obvious that the best single thing that an average individual can do for the climate is to have 0 kids — the next best thing is to have fewer kids.
Anyone who doubts this is mostly justifying their lifestyle choices (or will think they’re supremely clever for suggesting suicide as being better). Which is fine. Climate is fucked if they have 0 kids or 10 kids. Doesn’t matter a lick at this point.
The good news is that for nearly everyone wealthy enough to be on HN the bill mostly won’t come due until it’s your kids’ kids or kids’ kids’ kids lifetimes.
All that aside, I think this is the paper you’re talking about: