Science Weekly Shrinking states: a positive future with fewer people?
16 snips
Sep 11, 2025 
Dr. Jennifer Sciubba, President and CEO of the Population Reference Bureau and author, discusses the implications of declining fertility rates globally. She explores how two-thirds of the world now faces below-replacement-level fertility and what that means for future societies. The conversation highlights potential benefits of stable populations in addressing climate change and emphasizes the importance of women's rights and education. Rather than fearing fewer children, Sciubba advocates for empowering individuals and adapting societal structures for a sustainable future.
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Population Fuels Global Progress
- Dean Spears argues that more people increase the chance of scientific and technological progress that improves lives.
- He frames global depopulation as a shared risk because discoveries anywhere benefit everyone.
Population Timing Won't Save The Climate
- Depopulation timing doesn't solve urgent climate targets because declines occur too late in the century.
- Dean Spears says we must cut per-person emissions now regardless of future population change.
Focus On Well‑Being Not Population Targets
- Jennifer Sciubba warns against population targets and urges focusing on well-being instead.
- She argues that growth alone isn't success if education and poverty persist.
