Introduction: Dimensions of the Population-Environment Equation

On the road to the year 2000 the world confronts many challenges. The environment is rapidly deteriorating, and poverty and frustration are endemic and spreading. Civil strife is commonplace. At the same time population growth has escalated, increasing ten-fold since 1750, two-fold since 1950. There is concern that the globalization of acquisitiveness, materialism and individual freedom without personal and social responsibility will irrevocably upset the fragile balance that exists between human society and the natural environment. Such problems have been drawing increasing attention from scientists, philosophers and society, particularly since the 1960s, although these issues have been concerns since the time of Malthus. They give rise to a number of key questions. What are the dimensions of the population-environment equation? What must be understood about the problems on each of the dimensions to address disequilibria effectively? How can a balance between human activity and environmental factors best be achieved that will permit human flourishing and maintain the integrity of the planet? Before addressing these questions, a few initial clarifications are necessary.