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According to a recent world census, the population of human inhabitants on earth has exceeded 20 billion individuals. UN estimates from the beginning of the millennium record a population of nearly seven billion inhabitants, which means that in roughly two centuries, the number of humans has nearly tripled. In 2202, a world census was undertaken to fully assess the total population in order to begin to address the problems of energy and resource depletion due to overcrowding.

A combination of factors has led to the population explosion that has left governments struggling to meet the needs of the people. The international ban on contraception and abortion enacted in the 21st century led to rapid population growth, followed by a severe economic depression as governments strained to deal with a growing and aging society. The following century brought scientific breakthroughs that revolutionized modern medicine. Average life expectancy rose to 120 years or more. The combination of high birth rates coupled with reduced death rates has brought the world to the tipping point in terms of population size.

The most important problem that the human race now faces is what to do about overpopulation. Chad Nesbitt, president the think tank, Grand Corp, holds the controversial position that humans who are only a drain on precious resources should be “de-emphasized.” Nesbitt advocates the withholding of life-saving procedures on persons found to be non-essential. “It is only logical that we save resources for those who contribute to society,” says Nesbitt. Right to life advocates have been strangely silent on this issue. “Our focus is new life,” stated Pamela Conti, a spokeswoman for Personhood Matters. “We view all life as sacred, but we must maintain our commitment to fetal rights.”

Most citizens find Nesbitt’s position repellent. Will Forrester, project manager of the Mars Colonization Project hopes that humankind can find a better way. He believes that the Martian Habitat can be the first of many biodomes built on the planet. “Eventually we will successfully terraform Mars and colonize it much in the same way as the Americas were colonized hundreds of years ago,’ says Forrester. Such a massive project would require international funding and collaboration.

In a world where energy, food, and living space are increasingly scarce, a solution must be found to alleviate the problems of excess population. Hunger and poverty are a plague that continues to find new victims. World leaders must direct their focus to the issue in order to start working toward an answer.