Environmental
Degradation Is A Symptom Of Too Many PeopleEnvironmental
Degradation Is A Symptom Of Too Many People
The "Apparent" ProblemWe see it every day. Water and air pollution with resulting health problems, loss of open space, traffic and crowding, spiraling social costs, loss of biological diversity, scarce resources and many more.The media, government and the public often call attention to such problems, yet their number and severity continue to get worse. We are now beyond the point where we can ever expect to find the resources to deal individually with them all. Most of these problems are largely symptoms of too many people. These many symptoms will continue to increase in number and severity if our population continues to increase. The Population StatisticsIn the United States, population increases by some 2.6 million people per year, almost the equivalent of an additional California each decade. Our population doubled in the 56 years between 1944 and 2000, from 137 to 274 million.Worldwide, population grows by 84 million people per year, the equivalent of an India every 13 years. From 1980 to 2000, 1.6 billion people were added to our planet, more than existed in 1900. In the 40 years from 1960 to 2000, population doubled to 6.0 billion. |
The Population ConnectionVirtually all environmental problems are exacerbated by continually having to provide for additional people.A stable population would mean less demand for water, energy, and landfills. It would mean fewer cars clogging our roads, fewer people drawing on over-taxed services, and fewer shoppers in the checkout line. A stable population would mean that money for rebuilding the central artery, a second airport, or cleaning up Boston Harbor might be used for education, toxic waste cleanup, or tax relief. What We're All AboutWe are a group of people who are concerned with environment and quality-of-life, for ourselves and for our children. We believe that the population-environment connection must be exposed for all to appreciate.What We Wish to AccomplishWe wish to promote a non-coercive national population stabilization policy so as to protect the well-being of present and future generations. We do this by writing letters and articles, hosting presentations and discussions, sponsoring education and legislative action, and by other methods, some of which we have not yet thought of.How You Can HelpJust joining is a great start; a membership form appears at the end of this pamphlet. If you are interested in assisting with one of our activities (or starting your own), please do let us know on the membership form.On a personal basis, you can consider the population connection when discussing environmental issues and in planning your own family. |
What You Get By Joining Population ConnectionYou gain the satisfaction of contributing to the cause which many believe has a greater potential to directly and indirectly improve the quality of human life than any other. You also receive the bimonthly ZPG Reporter, and with interest in Population Connection/Boston, our bimonthly newsletter as well.For More InformationPlease join us at one of our bimonthly meetings (even just out of curiosity). Meetings are generally held the third Monday of the odd numbered months. Please phone or write us for more information.A Bit of Fine PrintWe are a fully affiliated chapter of Population Connection, 1400 Sixteenth Street NW, Suite 320, Washington DC 20036. Phone 202/332-2200 or 800/767-1956. Email: info@populationconnection.orgPopulation
Connection
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