OCR Text |
Show Figures on Future World Population Sir George II. Knibbs .elves different estimates of the possible population of (lie world, ranging from 2,04.00(1,-000 2,04.00(1,-000 if (be world's existing population Increased In ratio of O. I!, linker's estimate es-timate of possible increase In (lie United Unit-ed States agricultural area to 0,702,-000,000 0,702,-000,000 if nil existing arable land in the world could support three persons per acre and a final maximum of :!,-440,000,000 :!,-440,000,000 if an average of a person per two anil one-half acres applied to (be whole land surface of the world. Assuming that the present standard of living is retained, together with the present national prejudices and egoisms, ego-isms, Sir George considers it doubtful whether the population will ever reach the 5,000,000,000 limit. If man better co-ordinates his effort so ns lo involve less expense in nonproductive effort, then possibly the advance of science may enable the 7,000,000,000 limit to be reached. |