Isaac Asimov, noted popularizer of science and science fiction author, has addressed overpopulation: "democracy cannot survive overpopulation. Human dignity cannot survive [overpopulation]. Convenience and decency cannot survive [overpopulation]

Question

As you put more and more people onto the world, the value of life not only declines, it disappears. It doesn't matter if someone dies, the more people there are, the less one person matters." Respond to Asimov's statement by discussing any evidence available.

Answer 1

The quality of life is sustained by the ecosystems of the planet and the production
of raw materials. When the ecosystems and amounts of raw materials are finite, each person
has access to less and less. This has been the case for agricultural production in Africa. It
has grown, but by less than the population increase. Each African today has a smaller share
of agricultural production than was the case 20 years ago.
Asimov also used the toilet analogy. One person, one toilet—no problem. When more than
one person needs a toilet, problems can arise. The toilet is a metaphor for the finiteness of
Earth.