Sounds harsh but, let's face it, the environmental impact of the additional animals and cultivated plant life that are being grown to feed that 1.4 billion people have had a dramatic impact on the Earth's environment, according to the environmental crowd. Forests and grasslands are being destroyed, coastlines hazardously populated, and deserts are being irrigated and turned to agriculture to feed and house the growing horde.
The only way to control prices and to return the Earth to some halcyon day is control consumption. When consumption rises by 20%, but each individual can reduce their consumption, on average, by 10%, then the answer is 20% fewer consumers. The remaining 80% will realize an immediate improvement in environmental conditions and, for some, an restoration of their standard of living.
The amount of commodities consumed by these 1.4 billion people is now exceeding the ability of producers to supply the population's needs.
Fewer people mean less consumption. Less consumption means supply and demand will be somewhat balanced. Less consumption with adequate production ought to reduce prices to 1992 levels, too.
The environment will benefit, too. By reducing the number of carbon-exhaling and excreting people, and the carbon-generating life forms required to feed them, we also will enjoy a reduction in carbon dioxide, methane, phosphates, and sulfur and nitrogen oxides. Less of the Earth's surface will be require cultivation to sustain them, and the forests, coastlines, wetlands, and deserts can be restored to their state of existence in 1992.
As a side benefit, will be fewer resources wasted on fighting natural trends like erosion, wildfire, and climate change. Fewer wild animals will be endangered, too.
To restore the pattern and balance of socio-economic development that existed in 1992, we need to enforce a restoration of past socio-economic patterns and conditions.
The Third World will be required to surrender it's current 2.5 World status.
For example, the Chinese and Indians will return to bicycles and pull carts. Famine and disease again will be used to maintain the Darwinian balance.
However, we can't just clean house, and return to the old ways.
In the US, borders must be made nearly airtight. Children will be required to meet the highest standards in the world in math and sciences, history, and civic studies or government, or be required to take vocational courses that will render them useful in a highly skilled workforce.
Should our population grow beyond the 1992 threshold, mandatory birth control measures would be required, in accordance with one's religious beliefs.
The US can continue to take advantage of its homegrown technology advantage and the efficiencies that it can bring, so long as its population and resource consumption does not exceed 1992 standards.
Of course, the entire UN operation will be culled as a start. The UN has contributed to more suffering and wrong-headed geopolitical and socioeconomic initiatives that all of the other countries, combined, even before its inception.
As outlandish as it sounds, think of all of the itches that are scratched, worldwide.