Today is Blog Action Day, with a focus on Global Climate Change. There is so much to write about regarding Global Climate Change, which is already resulting in massive destruction to the ecosystems upon which we depend for food, water and other necessities. This time, however, I want to focus on the role of human overpopulation as a key factor in the human contribution to this global crisis.
A few days ago, I attended a panel discussion on Global Climate Change at the Society of Environmental Journalists (http://www.sej.org) conference in Madison, Wisconsin. I also attended a talk by Al Gore on the same topic, updating us about the fact that Global Climate Change is here, and having devastating impacts already. The panel on overpopulation included Prof. Paul Ehrlich, who has been writing about population for decades. It is unfortunate that so little attention is being paid to population issues in the media, apparently because it is such a sensitive topic - and virtually taboo because of the dogmas of particular religions.
Yet, human overpopulation is one of the key causes of the stresses we are placing upon our planetary resources that are leading to global climate change. We will not likely be able to control our destructive consumption and cycles of famine and war until overpopulation eases its constant pressure on planetary resources. To encourage population increases in this era is obviously irrational and in abrogation of the common sense any divine being would have conferred upon our species.
However, through lack of support for family planning and individual control over family size, many organizations around the world are actively sabotaging human efforts to live in balance with our natural world. Through direct social incentives and mandates to produce more children, these organizations promote cultural values found in ancient texts as if we are living thousands of years ago, when, indeed, the planet could easily absorb millions of additional humans. As a result, our species and our planet are further endangered and sound efforts to address global climate change and other global ecological crises such as mass extinctions are thwarted.
It does not matter why people and organizations choose to sabotage efforts to allow the human race to live in peace and prosperity on this planet. Some religious leaders look at today's situation and adapt to the world we live in today, honoring the wisdom of our ancient texts and choosing not to repeat the tragedies of which they repeatedly warn. Yet, others hold onto and re-create the ancient biblical conflicts and disasters, seemingly doomed to repeat the past rather than create a better future. I, for one, fail to see the morality in dooming our species to untold suffering. For the sake of our species, these actions and the attitudes that support them must change.
5 comments:
Greetings . I like your stuff . As someone from the
tree's , trying to live with folks who only know
the ground , is frustrating . They miss the feeling
of being a part of our history , that comes from
being born in the sea's . Feeling a part of the
growing Tree of Life . Keep up your good work ,
you are way ahead of me . May I follow and build
like the tip of a leaf , strengthening the twig ,
who's roots come from the earth .
About six point eight billion people , just like you
and me , will decide our future . Communicate
with them , share your feelings . Calm things down
a bit , make sense of things , and our
overpopulation will recognize you , as I do .
Cool article as for me. It would be great to read more concerning this matter.
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Anonymous, many thanks for the kind words. It is nice to feel heard, even by just a few. To share perceptions is such a powerful experience for us primates :)
Of course, Paul and Anne Ehrlich have been writing about the population issue for decades. I only hope that more and more people will see how all of this fits together - earth, fire, water, air.
Perhaps it would be helpful if conservation biologists, population scientists, demographers and economists would openly discuss the recent evidence from Russell Hopfenberg, Ph.D., and David Pimentel, Ph.D., on human population dynamics and the human overpopulation of the evidently finite and noticeably frangible planetary home we inhabit.
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