A wiser way to fight hunger

Re “The price of hunger,” editorial, June 23

So The Times believes that $30 billion a year will fix the world’s hunger problems. By raising the starving into the level of not quite starving, we actually ensure a new, larger generation of starving. Populations without constraint grow exponentially. The world population is now at least three times the sustainable level.

Compassion compels us to minimize death rates, but wisdom directs us to reduce birthrates. This is not only the proper approach to the food crisis but to the water shortage, global warming and fossil fuel and mineral resource exhaustion. Is it not better to spend the money on education to encourage couples to have one or two children with a good chance of survival rather than six with a good chance that none will survive?

David Woodford

Santa Barbara