I was alarmed to read Ken Hayward's letter of Jan.25 on population growth and global warming, especially his suggestion about the role possibly played by human body temperatures :"Each person generates 97 degrees Celsius which radiates into the atmosphere. Seven billion of us give off 679 billion C." That's decidedly warmer than an August day in Toronto and even hotter than the sun's core, a chilly 14 millionC. If all seven billion of us stood in one place under a sealed bubble, it would be a bit stifling but nothing the AC couldn't handle.

Anyway, though Ken here is a little over the top, it's great to see his concern about our survival. Population is clearly an issue. More people can only mean greater resource draw-downs, some renewable, many not. China's insatiable demand for oil has meant a rapid surge in power plant growth and car driving, with that activity's need for more roads leading to more pollution , more health problems and less arable land for food. Ken says:"The rate of consumption is not sustainable." He's right. In fact, this is a more serious problem in the long run than the 679 billion degree temps we will shortly be facing.

Geoff. Rytell

Toronto