| Paul Ehrlich is an American ecologist and a strong population control advocate. Ehrlich was born in Philadelphia in 1932. He took an early interest in zoology and entomology, and was
inspired by William Vogt's book, Road to Survival, which focuses on the consequences of overpopulation. Ehrlich received his undergraduate degree in zoology from the University of Pennsylvania and his master's degree and doctorate from the University of Kansas.Working on a variety of projects involving observation and experimentation with animals in different parts of the world, Ehrlich gained
knowledge of life in overpopulated countries. He is most famous for his book, The Population Bomb (1968), which he co-wrote with his wife. This book is an aggressive attack on the causes of overpopulation and on the problem of world hunger. The Ehrlichs argue that countries should balance their birth and death rates, in some instances by discouraging human reproduction and making sterilization mandatory.
Ehrlich founded Zero Population Growth, Inc. in 1968. This organization strives to gain support for balanced population levels. Ehrlich has taught at Stanford University, has been a correspondent for NBC, and has written numerous other books. The Nobel Prize Archive on Paul Ehrlich |
