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Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)
A Wellness Perspective on Population Control
Recently, we read about the arrival of the world's six billionth person, born in India. The newest Earthling, though very poor, will nonetheless participate in the consumption of the planet's resources, though drastically less so than other new arrivals making their appearances in more developed nations. Looking a bit into the future, the current six billion, at current growth rates, will be nine billion in fifty years. To appreciate a wellness perspective on all this, consider that environmental sensitivity is a foundation element of the wellness concept and then ponder a few additional facts associated with population expansion.
After that, I'll get right to the important part, namely, my opinion on the issue!
There is widespread consensus in the scientific community (though not in the Vatican) that the expanding human population is causing a mass extinction of other species -- only the sixth time such a widespread eradication of life has occurred in the planet's history. Furthermore, skyrocketing energy use appears to be loading the atmosphere with carbon dioxide and other trace gases, possibly contributing to global warming. Then again, some experts tell us that this warming trend might be beyond our influence or control, as part of a cycle that occurs every 10,000 years or so and having nothing whatsoever to do with the policies of politicians we don't like.
The United Nations claims that family planning programs have succeeded to some degree. Even Iran supports family planning -- and has a condom factory that produces 70 million prophylactics a year! (Source--Associated Press, 10/12/99.) Worldwide, fertility has been more than halved, down from around six children per woman in the 1950s to 2.06 today.
In developed countries, the birthrate is even lower than the global average. The fertility rate in the United States is 2.03. Both Europe and Japan have rates of 1.4 -- meaning that they may actually decline in population. Unfortunately, population is increasing rapidly in the poorest countries, guaranteeing that they will stay poor. Whereas the average birthrate for most developing countries hovers around 3.8, many African nations post fertility rates of 6 to 7.
Those figures are discouraging in light of current resource trends. Desertification and deforestation are accelerating in many countries, local water shortages are expanding into regional crises, and about half of the world's fisheries have been over-harvested. It is estimated that there are about 740 million acres of high-quality agricultural land in the world, and about three-quarters of that amount is already exploited.
Improving the standard of living for the poor countries with the high population rates will carry a high environmental pricetag in the form of obliterated wildlife habitat, soil erosion and water pollution. Expanding agricultural production to feed billions of new mouths that are expected will be devastating to environments nearly everywhere. The American model of consumerism creates demands not easily met.
Now, at long last, what you have been waiting for -- my opinion and specifically, my wellness take or perspective on all this. I'll make just two points.
The first is that the details of the so-called "earth in crisis" concerns are arguable (specifically, the exact causes and extent of the dangers of global warming), but the population problem is for real. You should, in my view, take it personally in the sense of not making things worse. Practice birth control, limit family size, moderate your consumption habits, contribute to groups like Planned Parenthood, recycle stuff and do all the other things that seem both sensible to you and helpful in mitigating the problems in some infinitesimally small but still important way. Try not to throw a fit about this or any other global problem, and don't expect to see it solved in your lifetime.
By the way, I know a highly responsible person who lives in the Midwest and says she would never live in a place like Arizona! Why? Because the little available water in Arizona is disappearing and the ground is barren. She said to me recently, Folks aren't meant to live in the desert! Well, so much for Las Vegas.
The second point I want to make about a wellness perspective on population control is to acknowledge that this IS a controversial topic. All important issues in our society are controversial, in part because no one group has a lock on truth or all the wisdom. Some religions, for example, are a major part of the problem. There is an incredible amount of social pressure on everyone not to criticize organized religion, especially if it is a powerful religion with lots of members. However, I recommend that you insist on your right to speak freely about your considered opinions. Marshall the facts, speak softly, with reason, but exercise your franchise. It's still possible to say what you think in America, so let's protect that precious right and give anyone who asks the benefit of your opinion. Who knows -- it may be worth something to someone, on occasions, and occasionally, like me, you may get it right. Occasionally.
And, always remember to look on the bright side of life, no matter how many more billions arrive before you depart. Be well.
Domain: mentalSubdomain: factual knowledge
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