Commentary
This November, a baby will emerge from her mother’s womb, draw her first breath, and announce her arrival into the world with a tiny cry. While this is the usual protocol for childbirth, one thing, in particular, will mark this child as unique. This baby will be Baby Eight Billion.
That day—when our planet becomes home to 8 billion human beings for the first time—marks an important milestone.
But is it a milestone on humanity’s upward path that we should celebrate or a warning of impending catastrophe over which we should despair? This depends on who you listen to….