Ted Turner says the darnedest things.
He told a luncheon audience at the United Nations climate talks in Cancun, Mexico, that a global, Chinese-style, one-child policy is needed to save the planet.
The newest loopiness from the CNN founder didn't end there, reports The Globe and Mail newspaper. He also thinks a human cap-and-trade plan -- selling fertility rights so the poor could profit by not reproducing -- would be just dandy, too.
Sorry, but no.
Make no mistake, concerns about overpopulation have much validity. And what the Earth can sustain has been and will continue to be ripe for scholarly debate. But while governments can facilitate the discussion and promote education about the issue, they have no business dictating childbearing decisions.
And justifying such government trampling of personal freedom based on scientifically bogus climate alarmism is beyond absurd.
Mr. Turner ignores the all-too-real effects of China's one-child policy. Besides denying reproductive choice, it has brought about high levels of female infanticide -- baby boys are more highly prized -- and forced abortions. Plus, it's worsening the demographic imbalance between young and old in China's population, too.
If that's Ted Turner's ideal world, he can bask in it right now -- by moving to China. The rest of us won't miss him.
