POPULATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - DISTINGUISHING FACT AND PREFERENCE CONCERNING THE FUTURE HUMAN-POPULATION AND ENVIRONMENT

The relation of population, environment and economic growth is controv ersial, with some considering that growth comes at an intolerable expe nse to the environment, others that the damage to the environment is s light and in any case so far in the future that it does not matter. Sc ientific evidence on the subject is not the only basis on which people choose sides; major factors are preference for present enjoyment and welfare as against the welfare of children and grandchildren, and the life of cities as against the countryside. The visibility of damage to the environment will sooner or later convince everyone that something must be done. For we can picture a declining marginal enjoyment of go ods, and a rising marginal visible damage, two curves that are sure to meet sooner or later, and when they do the public will insist on dras tic measures for repair being financed and undertaken. The greater the delay the more expensive the repairs. Beyond cost, the question is wh ether adequate measures of repair and prevention of further damage wil l be undertaken before it is too late.