KUT Interview: The world's growing population is heading toward a decline. Isn't that better for the planet? Two UT-Austin professors argue maybe not. - KUT & KUTX Studios

Summary

New research from the United Nations finds women all over the world are having fewer children than ever before. But haven’t we been hearing for decades that the world’s population is getting too big for the planet to support and a smaller population would be better? Two University of Texas at Austin Associate Economics professors have a new book out challenging some assumptions about population size and the health of the planet. KUT’s Jennifer Stayton talked recently with Dean Spears and Mike Geruso about their book After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People. Spears speaks first about where things stand with the world’s population.

« KUT Morning Newscast for July 30, 2025: Austin city leaders will soon decide whether to ask voters to approve a property tax hike

KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 30, 2025: Travis County is raising property taxes to pay for flood damage repairs »

↑ Hide All Episodes

September 15, 2025

KUT Morning Newscast for September 15, 2025: New nonstop flights coming to Austin airport in the months ahead

Central Texas top stories for September 15, 2025. Republican Representative Michael McCaul announced on Sunday he won’t seek reelection to congress. The Texas Legislature formed new House and Senate committees focused on freedom of speech on Texas college campuses. Texas saw the largest increase in the rate of uninsured children in the country between 2022 […]

Listen

September 12, 2025

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 12, 2025: Austin Police identify Zilker Park shooting suspect, who allegedly left his girlfriend ‘brain dead’

The Austin Police Department has identified the man accused of shooting a police officer and another person Wednesday morning near Zilker Park. UT Austin students are trying to get the word out about a new law they say limits free speech on campus. Central Health has given initial approval to a new budget and tax rate. The City of Austin is launching a program to remove graffiti from private properties. Gas prices went down overnight, but not by much.

Listen

September 12, 2025

KUT Morning Newscast for September 12, 2025: Austin Police identified the suspect in the shooting near Zilker Park

Central Texas top stories for September 12, 2025. Austin Police have identified 30-year-old Brandon Thompson as the suspect in the shooting of two people near Zilker Park this week. The 183 North Project is running months behind schedule. The Austin City Council has approved new rules for short-term rentals like Airbnb. Central Health has given […]

Listen

September 11, 2025

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 11, 2025: Austin police canceled a shelter-in-place order while a shooter was on the loose

People in parts of Austin were told Wednesday morning just after 6:30 that a man shot a police officer and another person near Zilker Park was no longer a threat, but he still was. Central Health has given initial approval to a new budget and tax rate. Property owners running short-term rentals in Austin will have to follow new rules adopted by the Austin City Council today. The Longhorns volleyball team got their second win against a top ten team this week.

Listen

September 11, 2025

KUT Morning Newscast for September 11, 2025: Austin’s proposed short-term rental rules aim to crack down on unlicensed operators

Central Texas top stories for September 11, 2025. People operating short-term rentals in Austin without a license could risk being removed from online rental sites. Austin Police say they’re looking into their text-based alert system after confusion yesterday during the search for a man who shot two people, including an APD officer. Georgetown is making […]

Listen

September 10, 2025

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 10, 2025: Suspect in police shooting ran into house, was shot by homeowner before arrest, APD chief says

Three people were shot this morning, including an Austin police officer near Zilker Park. Today at 5 pm is the deadline to apply for financial assistance if you were affected by July’s flooding in Travis or Williamson County. Austin ISD is hosting a virtual meeting tonight on its plan to close schools and redraw school district boundaries. Austin’s Live Music Fund is opening back up. Tomorrow is an Ozone Action Day.

Listen

September 10, 2025

Central Austin residents vote on 21-foot concrete wall to block I-35 noise

Residents in the Cherrywood neighborhood have until the end of the day to vote on whether they want a 21-foot-tall concrete wall built within arm’s reach of their backyards. The wall is a proposed noise barrier to block sound from I-35. As KUT’s Nathan Bernier reports, some neighbors say the new wall could feel almost as imposing.

Listen

September 10, 2025

KUT Morning Newscast for September 10, 2025: An Austin police officer was shot near Zilker Park. APD is searching for the suspect.

Central Texas top stories for September 10, 2025. APD is asking people to avoid the area around Zilker Park after an officer was injured during shooting. The Austin Independent School District is less than a month away from announcing a plan to save money and improve low-performing schools. The Save Austin Now political action committee […]

Listen

See More Episodes

KUT Interview: The world’s growing population is heading toward a decline. Isn’t that better for the planet? Two UT-Austin professors argue maybe not.

¡Vamos Verde!

(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen

24 Hours in Austin

ATXplained

KUT Interview: The world’s growing population is heading toward a decline. Isn’t that better for the planet? Two UT-Austin professors argue maybe not.

Episodes

You May Also Like...

¡Vamos Verde!

(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen

24 Hours in Austin

ATXplained