[rybosworld]

> Why should we use peak as a benchmark?

I'm not sure what you mean by the peak being a benchmark. There's a very clear trend of population growth declining every year since the 60's.

> Even 0.8% is insanely high, at such rate population will double in ~150 years

I think you are missing the part where the rate has been declining every year.

[betaby]

I think you are missing 'in our lifetime', even though you are quoting 'will double in ~150 years'. Also 'declining every year' doesn't mean it won't start growing again.

[rybosworld]

> I think you are missing 'in our lifetime'

I guess it depends when you are born. Peak population is predicted around 2075, and that's within a lot of people's lifetime.

> Also 'declining every year' doesn't mean it won't start growing again

That's a bit obvious and is equivalent to saying "anything could happen".

But unless you have a good reason for a reversal in trend, then there's no reason to think it will.