We certainly seem to be hoist with a petard of our own selfishness, don't we? The rich countries rely on a constant ever-increasing stream of cheap labour to provide them with the food and consumer goods on which they are increasingly dependent. The poor countries are prevented from developing by a lack of investment and educational resources - and we know it's education and healthcare which are the dominant factors in reducing birthrates. So their populations grow, but when they try to come to the west and improve their lives we pull up the drawbridge to protect our privileged existence.
Meanwhile, our excessive consumption is destroying the planet's ability to support the population growth to which we seem to be addicted. We breed and consume faster than our environment's capacity to sustain us just like all other species do, but unlike other species we are equipped with the ability to understand and be aware of the effect we're having. And yet we do nothing about it, instead glorifying the excess as being some kind of badge of honour. Bizarre and depressing.
