What single thing is at the root of many of today's problems?

I’m surprised that so many are focused on various problems today but ignore the one issue that underlies so many other issues. That underlying problem is over population.

Reducing the population over time would help enormously with climate change and a host of other economic problems. Anything that stems from lack of resources would be eased with a lower population.

Where has the Zero Population Growth movement gone? It was big during the 70’s but is all but disappeared! (Sort of like the movement to adopt the metric system in the United States.) Check out some history of the movement here: https://www.populationconnection.org/us/30-years-of-zpg/

But I think a couple of related issues are important to recognize today. First, this is a problem that butts up against religious dogma that preaches “go forth and multiply”. The right to procreate is stated as a duty to God. Hard to counter that.

But how about that “right to procreate”. Should that really be a right for everyone to pursue indiscriminately? The right to procreate is so ingrained in people’s thinking that it is not even debated today. Too much of a hot button, for sure.

So education is the key. Do you really need that many children? Even if it contributes to world-wide problems?

The other related area I find alarming is the population growth rate in China, India, and some parts of Africa. I say we will see wars fought in my lifetime that are largely based on over population in some of those locations. Over population and scarce resources are historical causes for wars and now I expect we will see that continuing.