The issue of population growth occasionally gains brief political traction in Australia, and there’s talk about having a population policy, but it has never amounted to anything specific.

Even at climate change rallies I have attended, there is invariably vocal reference to fossil fuels, emission schemes, green energy, political inaction and international agreements—and rightly so. Though ultimately it is human consumption most responsible for degrading the environment and influencing the climate. References to people and our increasing numbers are typically non-existent.