Believe it or not, “overpopulation” is not the cause of all the world’s environmental woes. Saying so would be to deny the notion that humans can live sustainably. But the idea that the world is overpopulated has gained a lot of traction regardless, and has led to some disastrous policy attempts around the world to limit population growth. This week, we explore where the idea of overpopulation came from, why it’s misguided and actually damaging, and what some more pertinent population dynamics might be. With special guest Dr. Jennifer Sciubba: Associate Professor of International Studies at Rhodes College and Global Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Hallie Cordingley, Maddy Schmidt, Ethan Brown
Editor: Frank Hernandez
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Frank Hernandez
Ad Voiceover: Lindsay Cronin
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.