[yurishimo]

I mostly agree, and I should have added something about that to my original post. In our current economies, things only "work" if the numbers keep increasing.

Personally, I think we have quite a long way to go before we reach a point where that cannot ever be true and I think we should account for the possibility that humanity finds a way to keep expanding forever. Whether that be into the ocean or outer space or perhaps ever vertically on Earth. But those are problems for a thousand years from now and I don't think are as worthy of consideration in 2024.

What sort of other challenges do you see that need to be addressed first and foremost?

[mytailorisrich]

Those are very current problems.

As said, birth rates are already below replacement rates in developed countries and decreasing everywhere else. Projections are that the global population may stop growing by the end of the century.

The seemingly "easy" option of immigration is causing big societal issues in Europe with a growing backlash against it.

The global environmental crisis is caused by the booming population of the last century or so combined with economic growth.

So this is very much a "now" issue.