I really like your article and how you summarize the major arguments about population.

My one comment is that transitioning to a stable population is going to require economic stagnation and transition. Governments must have strong safety nets to buffer vulnerable groups.

The world experienced a major slow down in the 1970s as “ghost children” of World War II failed to contribute economically. By “ghost children” I am referring to the potential children and grandchildren of the casualties of war.

Japan experienced a lost decade of growth in the 1990s. This was 40 years after their cities were devastated by fire and atomic bombing.

We need to remember that not all growth is good. No one prays for the growth of cancer cells. If humanity is going to survive our demographic transition we will need to trade excessive economic growth for sustainable development and happiness.

That will be the greatest challenge of the twenty first century.