John H. Fremlin

John H. Fremlin is professor emeritus of applied radioactivity at the University of Birmingham, England. Fremlin’s major research emphasis has been on the relative health risks of different energy sources. His book Power Production: What Are the Risks" deals with these concerns. In the following viewpoint, originally published in 1964, Fremlin postulates a series of stages in adapting the earth to population growth that would eventually allow the planet to sustain up to 10 quintillion (1018) people.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What lifestyle changes would people have to make to accommodate the ever-increasing population densities envisioned in Fremlin’s scenario?
2. Why doesn’t Fremlin believe that food production for an ever-increasing world population is a problem?
3. What one factor does the author believe could force a limit on...