This is well worth a read.
“What are the Sustainability Implications of Peak Population?”
by Alex Steffen, Worldchanging

I especially like the notion of adapting design to function within a world of limits NOW so that we provide future generations with as much opportunity (in terms of resources and global climate stability) to meet our imminent population challenges.

Also interesting is the concept of the Great Wager– we have a one-time shot (we only have enough resources and biocapacity to build this new civilization once, so we’d better get it right the first time). The debate rages on, but the time to act is most definitely now, and we kinda have to act very well and get it right the first time.

Some of the comments at the end of the blog are also very enlightening, thought-provoking and challenging.