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PHILOSOPHIES & ETHICS OF OVERPOPULATION By Ann TeNyenhuis

PHILOSOPHIES & ETHICS OF OVERPOPULATION

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PHILOSOPHIES & ETHICS OF OVERPOPULATION. By Ann TeNyenhuis. The Malthusian Philosophy. Thomas Malthus - “An essay on the Principle of Overpopulation” written in 1798 Overpopulation would eventually lead to war, famine, and disease. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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PHILOSOPHIES & ETHICS OF OVERPOPULATION

By Ann TeNyenhuis

The Malthusian PhilosophyThe Malthusian Philosophy

• Thomas Malthus - “An essay on the Principle of Thomas Malthus - “An essay on the Principle of Overpopulation” written in 1798Overpopulation” written in 1798

• Overpopulation would eventually lead to war, famine, Overpopulation would eventually lead to war, famine, and disease.and disease.

• Human population increases geometrically (1,2,4,8…) Human population increases geometrically (1,2,4,8…) while subsistence increases arithmetically (1,2,3…)while subsistence increases arithmetically (1,2,3…)

• What about technology?-the green revolutionWhat about technology?-the green revolution

Cornucopian PhilosophyCornucopian Philosophy

• ““the anti-Malthusians”the anti-Malthusians”• The Earth is not finiteThe Earth is not finite• Limits to growth only exist when science Limits to growth only exist when science

and technology fail usand technology fail us• Technology creates Technology creates

resourcesresources

Neo-Malthusian PhilosophyNeo-Malthusian Philosophy

Unless at or below subsistence a population’s Unless at or below subsistence a population’s fertility will tend to move upwardfertility will tend to move upward

Hyperexponential growth in LDC’s =Hyperexponential growth in LDC’s =

pro-fertility and genetic pro-fertilitypro-fertility and genetic pro-fertility

Pro-fertility leads to the outstripping of economic Pro-fertility leads to the outstripping of economic productionproduction

The Ethical Issues of Controlling The Ethical Issues of Controlling Population GrowthPopulation Growth

• How do we solve this problem ethically?• Hardin “The Tragedy of the Commons” –the choice

should not be our own. Gov’t must enforce laws and regulations. Supports China’s One Child Policy

• Does the government have the right to regulate birth rates? (i.e. abortions, forced sterilization, and contraceptives)

• Is religion holding us back?

China’s One Child PolicyChina’s One Child Policy"arguably the greatest bioethical atrocity on "arguably the greatest bioethical atrocity on

the globe"the globe" (society for the protection of unborn children)(society for the protection of unborn children)

Adopted in 1979Adopted in 1979 Less than 1/5 married couples signedLess than 1/5 married couples signed Policy rewards and benefitsPolicy rewards and benefits 1971 and 1985 estimated 100 million coercive birth-control 1971 and 1985 estimated 100 million coercive birth-control

"operations" in China"operations" in China

Problems:Problems: How do you enforce this policy? not a law!How do you enforce this policy? not a law! Couples still wanted larger familiesCouples still wanted larger families Female infanticide and female births not reportedFemale infanticide and female births not reported Punishments for “extra” policy childrenPunishments for “extra” policy children

Solving for OverpopulationSolving for Overpopulation

Female empowermentFemale empowerment EducationEducation Family planningFamily planning ContraceptivesContraceptives Environmental AwarenessEnvironmental Awareness

What has the U.S. Gov’t What has the U.S. Gov’t AllowedAllowed??

Immigration PoliciesImmigration Policies The U.S. currently has a The U.S. currently has a

dede facto facto population population policy of increasing our policy of increasing our population very rapidly. population very rapidly.

Legal immigration of Legal immigration of over 1 million a year is over 1 million a year is promoted by big promoted by big business because it business because it provides cheap labor. provides cheap labor.

American attitudes American attitudes reflect a great deal of reflect a great deal of ambivalence. Many see ambivalence. Many see economic & population economic & population growth as good business growth as good business with more consumers, with more consumers, workers, & prosperityworkers, & prosperity..

* Our government has no national policy on overpopulation prevention!

Because of high immigration U.S. Because of high immigration U.S. population grew more in the last population grew more in the last

decadedecadethan in any previous decade.than in any previous decade.

The 13.3 million immigrants from 1990-The 13.3 million immigrants from 1990-2000 and their children accounted for 70% 2000 and their children accounted for 70% of U.S. population growth in that decade.of U.S. population growth in that decade.

Current Immigration Current Immigration StatisticsStatistics

About 2,200 daily arrivals are About 2,200 daily arrivals are immigrants or refugees who have immigrants or refugees who have been invited to become permanent been invited to become permanent residents of the United States. residents of the United States.

About 5,000 foreigners make About 5,000 foreigners make unauthorized entries each day. unauthorized entries each day. 4,000 of them are apprehended , 4,000 of them are apprehended , but nearly 1,000 elude detection. but nearly 1,000 elude detection.

A future of high immigration will A future of high immigration will ensure problems of inner cities, ensure problems of inner cities, minorities, financial inequities and minorities, financial inequities and health care.health care.

The TruthThe Truth

Once the numbers are here we’ll have over Once the numbers are here we’ll have over crowding conflicts, over 100 foreign crowding conflicts, over 100 foreign languages, accelerating diseases, cultural languages, accelerating diseases, cultural conflict & severe limits to our freedoms. conflict & severe limits to our freedoms.

* Each year, 1.3 million new cancers are * Each year, 1.3 million new cancers are detected in our US citizens--an epidemic of detected in our US citizens--an epidemic of our own making.our own making.

If current immigration policy is not changed, the If current immigration policy is not changed, the population of our country will population of our country will doubledouble within the within the lifetime of the average American child - U.S. lifetime of the average American child - U.S. Census Bureau. Census Bureau.

Two Sides of Responsibility?Two Sides of Responsibility?

1892 The Sierra Club – 1892 The Sierra Club – advocate safer energy use advocate safer energy use practices and campaign practices and campaign against sprawl.against sprawl.

1994 California Coalition for 1994 California Coalition for Immigration Reform Immigration Reform (Prop.187) to deny public (Prop.187) to deny public benefits to illegal aliens in benefits to illegal aliens in California. Later overturned. California. Later overturned.

Public Employees for Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility Environmental Responsibility (PEER)- advocate for a (PEER)- advocate for a cleaner environment.cleaner environment.

The Green Umbrella The Green Umbrella Campaign Campaign for Family Planning - help for Family Planning - help promote international family promote international family planning.planning.

The growing popularity of The growing popularity of the illegal alien the illegal alien government hotline has government hotline has immigrants and their immigrants and their advocates worried about advocates worried about racial stereotyping and racial stereotyping and targeting of immigrant targeting of immigrant communities. communities. (866) 347-2423 (866) 347-2423

I'm against vigilantes in I'm against vigilantes in the United States of the United States of America. I'm for enforcing America. I'm for enforcing the law in a rational way." – the law in a rational way." – Pres. Bush?Pres. Bush?

Fighting Overpopulation

Fighting Overpopulation

Policy

Two Sides of Responsibility?Two Sides of Responsibility?

The Web of Creation, a The Web of Creation, a faith-based sustainability faith-based sustainability organization points out organization points out that the world population that the world population in 2100 could bein 2100 could be    a) 1 billion with one-child a) 1 billion with one-child familiesfamilies  b) 9 billion with two-child   b) 9 billion with two-child familiesfamilies  c) 25 billion if the growth   c) 25 billion if the growth rate of 1995 continues rate of 1995 continues

Grinning Planet - establish Grinning Planet - establish and maintain a fertility and maintain a fertility rate of 1.8 children per rate of 1.8 children per woman, we would soon woman, we would soon stabilize our population—stabilize our population—even with a net even with a net immigration of 1 million immigration of 1 million per year. Germanyis is 1.3.per year. Germanyis is 1.3.

New traffic New traffic infrastructures will infrastructures will yeild more congestion yeild more congestion and pollution - British and pollution - British government studies government studies concluded that new concluded that new roads do not reduce roads do not reduce traffic congestion traffic congestion long term. All of long term. All of Britain’s towns are Britain’s towns are required by law to required by law to reduce their own reduce their own traffic. (a clue, a clue)traffic. (a clue, a clue)

Fighting Overpopulation

Fighting Overpopulation

Policy?

Cont…Cont…

BALANCE (Population-BALANCE (Population-Environment Environment Balance )       Balance )       

    Educating the American Educating the American public and policymakers public and policymakers on the adverse impact of on the adverse impact of population growth on population growth on America's natural and America's natural and social environmentsocial environment

        Achieving a national Achieving a national and Congressional and Congressional commitment to commitment to population stabilization. population stabilization. relies on grassroots relies on grassroots membership support to membership support to fund and implement its fund and implement its initiatives and other initiatives and other activitiesactivities..

President Bush has President Bush has threatened a veto if threatened a veto if the final version of a the final version of a bill, the Boxer bill, the Boxer Amendment, which Amendment, which has the potential to has the potential to help ensure that help ensure that women and families women and families around the world around the world have access to have access to crucial family crucial family planning education planning education and services, and services, ultimately reducing ultimately reducing stress on the planet's stress on the planet's natural resources.natural resources.

Our Gov’t’s ResponsibilityOur Gov’t’s Responsibility

Courts could play a key Courts could play a key role in upholding vital role in upholding vital environmental protection. environmental protection. Already, the laws that Already, the laws that guarantee clean air and guarantee clean air and clean water are under clean water are under attack buy our expanding attack buy our expanding industry and industry and transportation systems. transportation systems.

10 out of 205 Senate 10 out of 205 Senate judicial nominees whose judicial nominees whose records raised concerns records raised concerns about threats to about threats to environmental protection environmental protection Bush had filibustered out.Bush had filibustered out.

We need immigration We need immigration reform and reduction reform and reduction to less than 175,000 to less than 175,000 people annually. Were people annually. Were looking at a looking at a population population momentum which will momentum which will add 200 million add 200 million Americans and an Americans and an unsustainable society.unsustainable society.

(4 mil per state in 50 yrs!)(4 mil per state in 50 yrs!)

We Saw this ComingWe Saw this Coming "The problems that "The problems that

exist in the world today exist in the world today cannot be solved by the cannot be solved by the level of thinking that level of thinking that created them.” -Albert created them.” -Albert Einstein Einstein

"The health of our "The health of our country does not country does not depend on population depend on population growth, nor does the growth, nor does the vitality of business, nor vitality of business, nor the welfare of the the welfare of the average person.”- average person.”- Rockefeller Commission Rockefeller Commission 1972 Report1972 Report

Cont…Cont… "Unlike the plagues of the dark ages or "Unlike the plagues of the dark ages or

contemporary diseases, which we do not contemporary diseases, which we do not understand, the modern plague of overpopulation understand, the modern plague of overpopulation is soluble by means we have discovered and with is soluble by means we have discovered and with resources we possess. What is lacking is not resources we possess. What is lacking is not sufficient knowledge of the solution, but sufficient knowledge of the solution, but universal consciousness of the gravity of the universal consciousness of the gravity of the problem and the education of billions of people problem and the education of billions of people who are its victims." - Dr. Martin Luther King who are its victims." - Dr. Martin Luther King

This is unfair, and we should no longer sanction This is unfair, and we should no longer sanction the dogma of "profits before people". The the dogma of "profits before people". The immense wealth of greedy, globalist corporations immense wealth of greedy, globalist corporations must not be permitted to corrupt our political must not be permitted to corrupt our political process to the point where we jeopardize the process to the point where we jeopardize the environment and the future of the most environment and the future of the most vulnerable Americans of all -- the young and vulnerable Americans of all -- the young and future generations. - Craig Nelsenfuture generations. - Craig NelsenProject USAProject USA

Overpopulation on the Overpopulation on the West Coast: CaliforniaWest Coast: California

CAPSCAPS

Californians for Population Californians for Population StabilizationStabilization• works to formulate and advance policies works to formulate and advance policies

and programs designed to stabilize the and programs designed to stabilize the population of California at a level which population of California at a level which will preserve a good quality of life for all will preserve a good quality of life for all Californians Californians

• was organized in 1986 was organized in 1986 • split off from ZPG (Zero Population split off from ZPG (Zero Population

Growth) Growth)

CAPS ProjectsCAPS Projects Overpopulation Awareness Media CampaignOverpopulation Awareness Media Campaign

• This program expands the Immigration Education This program expands the Immigration Education Project, particularly its focus on advertising Project, particularly its focus on advertising

Demographic Data Analysis ProjectDemographic Data Analysis Project • analyze, summarize and simplify the information CAPS analyze, summarize and simplify the information CAPS

needs to better educate the public about the issues that needs to better educate the public about the issues that concern us concern us

Open Dialogue ProgramOpen Dialogue Program • Activists and board members are trained on specific Activists and board members are trained on specific

skills, and to educate the publicskills, and to educate the public Work with the State Legislature, Congress Work with the State Legislature, Congress

and Local Governmentsand Local Governments • CAPS engages in lobbying, education, and advocacy CAPS engages in lobbying, education, and advocacy

programs designed to influence elected officials in programs designed to influence elected officials in California as well as at the federal level California as well as at the federal level

Issues being addressed by Issues being addressed by CAPSCAPS

SchoolsSchools• California once led the nation in California once led the nation in

education , but today the system is education , but today the system is deterioratingdeteriorating

• Non-English speaking studentsNon-English speaking students• Packed classroomsPacked classrooms• Average school is 30 yrs old and Average school is 30 yrs old and

falling apartfalling apart Traffic ProblemsTraffic Problems

• Not enough money or time to build Not enough money or time to build the amount of needed roads and the amount of needed roads and highwayshighways

• Too many cars, because there are too Too many cars, because there are too many people, and California has too many people, and California has too many people because of runaway many people because of runaway immigrationimmigration

EnvironmentEnvironment• SmogSmog• Air pollutionAir pollution• Degradation of ground waterDegradation of ground water• Destruction of forests and natural Destruction of forests and natural

habitatshabitats• Wild fires and forest firesWild fires and forest fires

Issues being addressed by Issues being addressed by CAPSCAPS

Health CareHealth Care• Problems recruiting physicians to the stateProblems recruiting physicians to the state• Financial pressures and competition are impacting the Financial pressures and competition are impacting the

supply of doctors, nurses, clinics and hospitals supply of doctors, nurses, clinics and hospitals • Two thirds of hospitals are losing moneyTwo thirds of hospitals are losing money• Patients are often uninsuredPatients are often uninsured

CrimeCrime• Continues to increase in California citiesContinues to increase in California cities• growing population densities in cities and increasing growing population densities in cities and increasing

poverty and unemployment brought on by an poverty and unemployment brought on by an irresponsible immigration policy that continuesirresponsible immigration policy that continues

Water SupplyWater Supply• Beginning of a major water crisisBeginning of a major water crisis• Farmers have had to cut back on water for cropsFarmers have had to cut back on water for crops

Issues being addressed by Issues being addressed by CAPSCAPS

TaxesTaxes• Constant tax increasesConstant tax increases• Legal and illegal immigration Legal and illegal immigration

supportsupport• Welfare, education, health care, Welfare, education, health care,

and unemployment are just a and unemployment are just a few of the many services few of the many services Californians provide, often Californians provide, often unknowingly unknowingly

JobsJobs• More and more native-born More and more native-born

Californians are being displaced Californians are being displaced by lower cost legal and illegal by lower cost legal and illegal immigrant workers immigrant workers

Energy CrisisEnergy Crisis• Still recovering from the crisis Still recovering from the crisis

of 2001of 2001• Businesses are looking at Businesses are looking at

California as a poor place to California as a poor place to locatelocate

Major Overpopulation Causes in Major Overpopulation Causes in the USthe US

FertilityFertility• The U.S. average fertility rate is currently 2.4 births per woman The U.S. average fertility rate is currently 2.4 births per woman • Highest since 1971Highest since 1971

United Kingdom's fertility rate is 1.7 United Kingdom's fertility rate is 1.7 Canada's is 1.5 Canada's is 1.5 Germany's is 1.3 Germany's is 1.3

ImmigrationImmigration• Legal and illegal immigration contribute over one and a half Legal and illegal immigration contribute over one and a half

million people to the U.S. population annually million people to the U.S. population annually • The total foreign-born population in the U.S., according to the The total foreign-born population in the U.S., according to the

U.S. Census, is now 34.2 million, a record 72 percent increase U.S. Census, is now 34.2 million, a record 72 percent increase since 1990 since 1990

An estimated 18-20 million of those are here illegally An estimated 18-20 million of those are here illegally

US Population FactsUS Population Facts The United States is the third most populous country on The United States is the third most populous country on

Earth Earth • According to 2004 censusAccording to 2004 census• Behind China and IndiaBehind China and India

During the 2005-2050 the United States along with seven During the 2005-2050 the United States along with seven other countries (India, Pakistan, Nigeria, the Democratic other countries (India, Pakistan, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bangladesh, and Uganda) are Republic of the Congo, Bangladesh, and Uganda) are expected to account for half of the world's projected expected to account for half of the world's projected population increase from 6.5 billion to 9.1 billion population increase from 6.5 billion to 9.1 billion

From 1990 to 2000, the U.S. population increased by 13% From 1990 to 2000, the U.S. population increased by 13% compared with 2.5% for other developed countries compared with 2.5% for other developed countries combined combined

About 10 million more people entered the United States About 10 million more people entered the United States between 1990-2000 than left the country between 1990-2000 than left the country

FloridaFlorida

Implications of Population GrowthImplications of Population Growth

• Overcrowded SchoolsOvercrowded Schools• Polluting traffic jamsPolluting traffic jams• Urban sprawlUrban sprawl• Environmental ImpactEnvironmental Impact

Environmental ImpactEnvironmental Impact

Housing developments have invaded the wetlandsHousing developments have invaded the wetlands• Natural habitats for many species have been destroyedNatural habitats for many species have been destroyed• Entire animal populations, including the Florida panther Entire animal populations, including the Florida panther

and manatee, are disappearingand manatee, are disappearing

Environmental ImpactEnvironmental Impact

Pollution and disruption of the natural water flows Pollution and disruption of the natural water flows have:have:

Dramatically reduced populations of wading birds and Dramatically reduced populations of wading birds and other speciesother species

Damaged the Florida Keys reef systemDamaged the Florida Keys reef system Degraded fisheries in Florida BayDegraded fisheries in Florida Bay

Population-Environment BalancePopulation-Environment Balance

BALANCEBALANCE is dedicated to: is dedicated to: Educating the American public and policymakers on Educating the American public and policymakers on

the adverse impact of population growth on America's the adverse impact of population growth on America's natural and social environment natural and social environment

Achieving a national and Congressional commitment Achieving a national and Congressional commitment to population stabilizationto population stabilization

Adverse effects Balance focuses on:Adverse effects Balance focuses on:

environmental degradationenvironmental degradation air and land traffic congestionair and land traffic congestion pollution of all kindspollution of all kinds water shortageswater shortages soaring urban housing costssoaring urban housing costs increased crowdingincreased crowding loss of prime agricultural landloss of prime agricultural land social stress.social stress.

Facts and FiguresFacts and Figures

More than 1/3 of the world’s people already live in areas that are More than 1/3 of the world’s people already live in areas that are suffering from chronic water shortagessuffering from chronic water shortages

Unclean water and poor sanitation kills more than 12 million Unclean water and poor sanitation kills more than 12 million people/yearpeople/year

Population is growing faster than food supplyPopulation is growing faster than food supply Each year, some 40 million acres of tropical forest disappear as Each year, some 40 million acres of tropical forest disappear as

trees are cleared for crops, human settlements and fuel woodtrees are cleared for crops, human settlements and fuel wood

How we can help the problemHow we can help the problem Limit your family size to two or fewer natural children (if you Limit your family size to two or fewer natural children (if you

want more you can ADOPT a child)want more you can ADOPT a child) One-child-world pledgeOne-child-world pledge Defer childbearing until you are in your 30’sDefer childbearing until you are in your 30’s Learn about overpopulation – share your information with Learn about overpopulation – share your information with

othersothers Contribute financially and/or volunteer your support to Contribute financially and/or volunteer your support to

population organizationspopulation organizations