Final answer:
The claim that current growth is below the necessary level to sustain the current population is false; the global population of around 7 billion is growing exponentially despite reproductive rates below the biotic potential, and while some countries experience negative growth rates, overall growth continues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Our current growth is below the necessary level to sustain the current population' is false. In fact, the human population is experiencing exponential growth, even though we are reproducing far below our biotic potential, which would require all females to be pregnant approximately every nine months during their reproductive years and resources to be abundant enough to support such growth. Nevertheless, the world's population has continued to grow, currently estimated at around 7 billion people. It's important to note that population growth is also influenced by factors such as immigration, not just births. Moreover, some countries do indeed have a negative growth rate, where the number of deaths exceeds the number of births.
There is also concern about the carrying capacity of Earth, which refers to the number of individuals that can be supported without degrading the environment. As the population expands, the pressure on resources like land and water intensifies, potentially leading to higher birth and death rates and potentially a population crash if resources become too strained. This concern is framed within the context of long-term sustainability where larger populations could strain natural resources and affect global well-being.