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THERE are plenty of facts and figures in this book, enough to baffle any ordinary mind, but when even the experts assembled here by Ian Goldin disagree so fundamentally, you are left almost completely bewildered.

The chimes of doom over a projected population of ten billion by midcentury are sounded by the likes of Prof Charles Godfray, who forecasts world hunger which, in turn, will lead to world unrest. Meanwhile, waving the banner of hope, is Dr Toby Ord, who pins his faith in advanced technology allied to social and behavioural changes to keep the world fed and at peace.

Just ask yourself how much you would be willing to give up and how much you would be willing to adopt to ensure a sustainable life for others. After all, there’s a lot of truth in the saying “Charity begins at home.”