The micro-plastics we have been ingesting for the last couple of decades are leading to lower male fertility as well. Part of putting private profit over social well-being.

I definitely agree about money manipulation. The key factor about wealth is the power dynamic. The wealthiest people on the planet live far better than the kings of old, and they hold power greater than kings of old. The king of Saudi Arabia has some measure of control over farmers in Minnesota. That kind of power has only existed for less than a century.

If wealth were evenly distributed (I know that is an impossiblity, but for the sake of discussion let's say it is possible), then everyone is a king. If everyone is a king, then no one is a king. So it is in the interest of the wealthy and powerful to make sure than income and wealth inequality stay as large as possible.

We definitely need fewer humans on earth. One way or another that drop in population is coming. How we get there is very much up in the air.