Readers Write: Facing up to population growth; Thanks, America, for great TV dramas

Facing up to population growth

I was encouraged to read that an interviewee in the March 3 Monitor cover story offered that the ultimate solution to the problem of African poaching is to "face up to" population growth (Damien Mander in "The war on poaching").

To my dismay, population growth has at other times been prescribed as a solution to various problems by those interviewed in Monitor stories: Economic "peril" will ensue without population replacement or growth in some developed nations, and "long-term plans for productivity and the social safety net become inviable" ("Behind a looming baby bust," Feb. 4, 2013).

Increased fertility is listed as a possible prescription for Russia's shrinking population ("Russia hardens its resistance," Nov. 4, 2013).

Yet National Geographic (March 28, 2012) seems to agree with Mr. Mander. With our global population approaching 7 billion, we are causing the "Sixth Great Extinction" in which "it is estimated that half of all plants, animals and birds on the planet will die off before 2100."

Must a sustainable economy depend on infinite expansion and mass extinction? I would like to believe there is a solution to both the survival of humanity and that of the natural world.

Jan Dougall

Agoura Hills, Calif.

Thanks, America, for great TV dramas

The Monitor's arts reviewer asks: "[W]hy do all the best [TV] shows seem to originate on the other side of the pond?" ("Six Picks," March 10)

Some of us on this side of the Atlantic would argue that the United States is quite capable of producing great TV. The first two series of "Homeland" were riveting. "Breaking Bad" garnered superb reviews here in England, and "Mad Men" has also been very popular.

We're counting on the US to produce more good TV drama in the future.

Alistair Budd

London