What Is An Optimal Population?

My answer:

I believe there is an optimal population for each country, based on commonly accepted standards of quality of life for the world as a whole, and the reality of the current situation.  Canada has a large per capita environmental impact because of our climate and consumption levels.  Also people and animals here generally share a small southern strip of the country.   Until we have world climate change, or technological changes which make the climate irrelevant, or a general leveling (which would mean reducing for us) of world-wide consumption levels, Canada should stabilize its population.  The reality of the situation means we would have to stabilize at a number somewhat higher than current; to accommodate natural growth, and immigration obligations.  Thus I believe we should in Canada should stabilize our population at 33 to 36 million.

 

...Philip