SECTIONS Home Society SciTech Planet Cosmos SPECIAL Contents About

World Population Still Growing Fast The U.S. Population Institute says Earth's human population increased by 78 million in 1998; and 97% of the increase occurred in poor nations. By Slobodan Lekic, The Associated Press Start Date: 12/30/98 WASHINGTON (AP) -- Although family planning programs have sharply cut birth rates in many parts of the world, a dozen of the poorest nations are still expected to triple their populations by mid-century, a U.S. research institute said Wednesday. "Countries with replacement-level or below-replacement-level fertility collectively account for about 2.6 billion people -- 44 percent of the world's population," said a report issued by the Population Institute. About 75 nations, most of them in Europe, fall into this category, said the Washington-based nonprofit group that works to draw attention to population issues. But an increasing number of developing countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Central Asia and elsewhere also are successfully suppressing birth rates. The institute's annual report cautioned, however, that this did not mean that half of the world's population problems have been solved. "A number of countries continue to grow rapidly and face the adverse effects of overpopulation," it said. Afghanistan, Angola, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, the Gaza Strip, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Oman, Somalia, Togo, and Uganda are expected to triple their populations over the next half-century, the report said. And the number of Liberians will quadruple in the same period, the report said. Overpopulation threatens to cause severe worldwide problems, including starvation and illness when population outruns resources, researchers say. Other threats include depletion of forests for firewood, increase in deserts from damaged farmland, creation of environmental hazards ranging from acid rain to atmospheric changes and destruction of habitats for plants and animals. The report highlighted several developments: The earth's population increased by 78 million this year, and is expected to reach six billion next October; 97 percent of the increase occurred in poor nations already burdened with economic, environmental, public health and other problems; 58 countries -- 43 of them in Africa and 12 in Asia -- have fertility rates of five or more children per woman. [Disclaimer: This article is copyright (c) 1998 The Associated Press. The information contained in AP news reports may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. This text is posted in the public interest.] Excelsior, Michael Lindemann's new novel (written under the pen name Michael Paul), depicts a wholly plausible near future in which human cloning is both widespread and widely abused; terrorists have access to target-specific biological weapons; recreational space travel is commonplace; and mounting pressures of global climate change, environmental decline, population growth and civil unrest inspire radical new approaches to urban security. Built by Frontier on a Macintosh on 6/17/00; 11:53:01 AM. Web Comments - Produced by Larry Lowe Served 2868 times since 12/30/98.

Y2K Update: U.S. Navy Report Overplayed, But Many Y2K Problems Loom Dire Y2K predictions in a recent U.S. Navy report are 'worst-case,' not 'probable,' Navy spokesmen say; but U.S. businesses are falling behind in Y2K preparation, and global recession seems increasingly likely. Famine Puts Entire Generation of N. Koreans at Risk Among the most dire consequences of the severe famine in North Korea is widespread malnutrition among very young children, who could grow up stunted or retarded as a result. Amid Economic Woes, Japanese Brace For Millennium Many people in Japan look to the millennium with foreboding; millions subscribe to the dire predictions of Nostradamus. Chinese Government Worried About Huge 'Cult' Millions of Chinese citizens practice the ancient health regimen called Qigong, but Chinese officials fear that some Qigong teachers may have too much political power. Hungry North Koreans Trade Nuke Info for Potatoes Famine-stricken North Korea has agreed to allow U.S. personnel to inspect a suspected nuclear facility in exchange for assistance with potato cultivation. Y2K's Gentle Arrival Surprises Many Analysts Y2K came in like a lamb as New Year's Day dawned almost free of problems around the world. Even optimists seemed pleasantly surprised. Russia's Other Biggest Problem: Tuberculosis A virulent, drug resistant strain of tuberculosis is spreading fast in Russia and is already showing up in other parts of the world, prompting fears of a global epidemic in the coming decade. Beyond Kosovo: Peacemaking In a Post-Cold War Era Armed conflict became radically more deadly during the 20th century, but the new millennium affords an opportunity to build the foundations of lasting global peace and security, says Michael Renner of the Worldwatch Institute. High School Carnage Raises Old Questions Again When two young killers massacred a dozen classmates at Columbine High in Littleton, Colorado, the whole world recoiled in horror and wondered aloud what has gone wrong in American society. Coal Fumes Said to Poison Millions of Chinese Poor quality coal used for home cooking and heating is blamed for causing cancer, bone disease and other ailments in millions of Chinese peasants.