Letter: Parenthood taxes not the answer to population problems
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Professor Sir Roy Calne's concern about overpopulation does him credit, but child licences and tax penalties are supremely irrelevant in the remoter parts of India or Africa where government is usually conspicuous by its absence, and ignorance and the needs of the moment take priority.
The real solutions are more boring: long-term development, leading to fewer child deaths - and thus to increased confidence in the survival to adulthood of a smaller family - and making family planning available to all (without which Professor Calne's proposals will not work anyway). About one third of Third World pregnancies are unwanted as it is - taxing them will not help.
It is urgent that overpopulation be addressed now. The world is in a stage of transition to an ultimate stable population, but action now or lack of it - can make the difference between the final figure being 8-10 billion, or 15-20 billion. But it has to be the right action.
Yours faithfully,
BILL LINTON
London, N13
10 August
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments