IPFS Frosty Wooldridge

CONNECTING THE DOTS

More About: Environment

PART 5: WHAT CONSTITUTES OVERPOPULATION IN AMERICA? TWO MAJOR IDENTIFIERS

"Which is the greater danger - nuclear warfare or the population explosion? The latter absolutely!” said famed writer Isaac Asimov.  “To bring about nuclear war, someone has to DO something; someone has to press a button. To bring about destruction by overcrowding, mass starvation, anarchy, the destruction of our most cherished values—there is no need to do anything. We need only do nothing except what comes naturally—and breed. And how easy it is to do nothing."

Asimov followed up with a penetrating reality check brought about by overpopulation: “...democracy cannot survive overpopulation. Human dignity cannot survive it. Convenience and decency cannot survive it. As you put more and more people into the world, the value of life not only declines, it disappears. It doesn't matter if someone dies. The more people there are, the less one individual matters,” said Asimov.
 
At America’s current rate of population growth, it will double from 310 million to 600 million within the lifetime of a child born today. While Americans remain smug about their ‘tiny’ population of 310 million in 2010, they live daily without any comprehension of calamities of growth as experienced in much of the world.  Few Americans would opt to move to China, India or Bangladesh to live in such diminished quality of life conditions, but the majority contends that ‘growth’ can go on forever.  Americans cannot grasp that China hit 300 million in the last century, but today, they suffer what they did to themselves at 1.3 billion.  Yet, Americans follow the same slippery slope—even as they read about the consequences in other overloaded countries.
 
As this series advances with exacting scientific foundational research, you may hear cries from 17th century-thinking “the Earth is flat” American stalwarts that contend the United States does not suffer any overpopulation problems.  They cry out, “We’ve got endless space, unlimited water, enough gasoline for another 200 years and plenty of resources.”  Thus, they refuse, like a stubborn 6th grader, to incorporate “carrying capacity”, Peak Oil, Peak Water and the “Exponential Equation.”  Instead, they rely on emotions and scenarios from the past.
 
Their inability to understand and assimilate the harsher realities facing this civilization, unfortunately, find sympathizing citizens in the same boat of denial.  Therefore, let’s focus on two major identifiers facing America in the coming decade as we add another 35 million people by 2020.  And the decade after that, another 35 million people, and so on to reach 100 million by 2035—and on toward 600 million. 
 
WATER LIMITS IN THE USA
 
“Crisis feared as U.S. water supplies dry up: Government projects at least 36 states will face shortages within five years.” Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21494919/
 
A recent report by the world Economic Forum warns that half the world’s population will be affected by water shortages within 20 years.  Why?  The human race adds 1.0 billion every 13 years.  Researchers say those unsustainable conditions equal “water bankruptcy”  that could cause crop failures, which in turn, cause millions to face starvation. 
 
Today in 2010, 18 million humans starve to death annually worldwide. 
But, as 20th century-thinking troglodytes contend, the U.S. enjoys an endless supply of water. Except, today, in California, they already process toilet water to tap water.  Farmers cannot continue irrigation of crops because of exhausted aquifers.  The Ogallala aquifer, that irrigates the mid-section of America, suffers enormous depletion with very little recharging to replenish itself.  It will run out at some point. Arizona, Georgia and Florida suffer water shortages. No amount of conservation can save Florida as it races from 18 million to 36 million additional people, or Georgia at 8.2 million headed toward 16.4 million in four decades.
 
Obviously, those that claim America does not suffer a water shortage predicament either think like the 17th century Pope who banished Galileo for having the audacity to assert, “My research shows unequivocally that the Earth revolves around the sun.”
 
“That just can’t be,” cried the Pope.  “I’m the Pope and I decree the Earth is the center of the universe!”
 
In the 20th century, human population increased fourfold, while our use of freshwater increased nine times. Already, California finds itself included in the UN Water Development Report as a “high water stress” area in 2010.  Can you imagine when California reaches its predicted additional 20 million people within 30 years?
 
PEAK OIL BEARING DOWN ON ADVANCED AND
OVERPOPULATED CIVILIZATIONS
 
“As we go from this happy hydrocarbon bubble we have reached now to a renewable energy resource economy, which we do this century, will the “civil” part of civilization survive?  As we both know there is no way that alternative energy sources can supply the amount of per capita energy we enjoy now, much less for the 9 billion expected by 2050. And energy is what keeps this game going. We are involved in a Faustian bargain—selling our economic souls for the luxurious life of the moment, but sooner or later the price has to be paid.”  Walter Youngquist 
 
A farmer with two horses and a single furrow plow can feed 12 people.  A farmer with a John Deere tractor can feed 1,200 and more.  But if that tractor cannot be filled with gasoline, it won’t pull a 10 furrow plow.  Today, nothing on the horizon can duplicate the ‘energy density’ of oil. 
 
According to the Hubbert Curve, we will see the end of all extractable oil reserves within 30 years.  Additionally, as we continue burning 84 million barrels daily, we will see gasoline hit $10, $15 and ultimately $20 per gallon. (Source: Chris Steiner, $20 Per Gallon, Forbes)
 
How will we feed our overblown 310 million population without oil?  How will we feed it without water for irrigation? 
 
"Surveying the available alternative energy sources for criteria such as energy density, environmental impacts, reliance on depleting raw materials, intermittency versus constancy of supply, and the percentage of energy returned on the energy invested in energy production, none currently appears capable of perpetuating this kind of society."  Richard Heinberg"Temporary Recession or the End of Growth?"
 
Finally, this president sums it up:
 
"...More important than the deficit, more important than healthcare—more important than anything—we have got to do something about our energy strategy. Because if we permit the climate to continue to warm at an unsustainable rate, and if we keep on doing what we're doing until we're out of oil and we haven't made the transition, then it's inconceivable to me that our children and grandchildren will be able to maintain the American way of life and that the world won't be much fuller of resource-based wars of all kinds." President Bill Clinton
 
Today, we evade, avoid and suppress any talk about energy conservation and overpopulation in America.  As Paul Ehrlich said, “All causes are lost causes without limiting human population.”
 
 
“Imagine a country which employs the principles of personal responsibility,  freedom and accountability for future generations. Everything you do-counts!  If you do nothing, that counts to the negative. When you read sobering information, do you want to give up or fall apart? Or, do you want to engage like Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, George and Martha Washington, John and Abigail Adams,  Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, Dr. Martin Luther King, Oprah, Barbara Jordan, John Muir and other Americans. You represent the Jefferson’s, Oprah’s and Dr. King’s of the 21st century.  Consider it your honor and privilege to become a part of the solutions.  Engage the present to change the future! Become an agent of the change you want to see!”  
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In a five minute astoundingly simple yet brilliant video, “Immigration, Poverty, and Gum balls”, Roy Beck, director of www.numbersusa.ORG, graphically illustrates the impact of overpopulation.  Take five minutes to see for yourself:
 
 
If any of us, no matter what our race, creed or color might be, refuse to engage our U.S. Congress as we have not for 30 years as to the population/immigration equation-our children will find themselves living in a terribly degraded America where the American Dream will be described by the history books as a 'fleeting fantasy' from the era of 1950 to 2010.
 
These are several of the top organizations where you can take collective action to change the course of American history as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. Take collective action at:
 
This is the best website to start:  www.numbersusa.com ; watch Roy Beck’s “Immigration by the Numbers” at 14 minutes. Bi-partisan and very effective. Become a faxer of pre-written letters to your reps to make positive  change.
 
 
Must see DVD: "Blind Spot" www.snagfilms.com/films/title/blind_spot/ , This movie illustrates America's future without oil, water and other resources to keep this civilization functioning. It's a brilliant educational movie! www.blindspotdoc.com
 
Must see: Rapid Population Decline, seven minute video by Dr. Jack Alpert-
 
Must see and funny: www.growthbusters.org ; www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXSTrW_dARc
Dave Gardner's Polar Bear in Bedroom:
 
growthbusters.org/2010/03/save-the-polar-bear-in-your-bedroom ; Dave Gardner, President, Citizen-Powered Media ; Producing the Documentary, GROWTH BUSTERS; presents Hooked on Growth: Our Misguided Quest for Prosperity, Join the cause at www.growthbusters.org ;760 Wycliffe Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 USA; +1 719-576-5565
 
Check out this link with Wooldridge on bicycle and Lester Brown and panel discussion:
Tomorrow's Americaproject on www.youtube.com/contemporarylearning.
Producer: GEORGE A. COLBURNwww.tomorrowsamerica.com
DC: 202-258-4887
 
Link to www.tomorrowsamerica.com for more discussions on America's predicament.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Frosty Wooldridge has bicycled across six continents - from the Arctic to the South Pole - as well as six times across the USA, coast to coast and border to border. In 2005, he bicycled from the Arctic Circle, Norway to Athens, Greece. He presents "The Coming Population Crisis in America: and what you can do about it" to civic clubs, church groups, high schools and colleges. He works to bring about sensible world population balance at www.frostywooldridge.com He is the author of: America on the Brink: The Next Added 100 Million Americans. Copies available: 1 888 280 7715

6 Comments in Response to

Comment by Frosty Wooldridge
Entered on:

Again, nobody called anyone names, and in fact, I called every reader to his or her best and brightest thinking.  But if the shoe fits, slip it on and see how it feels.  We're talking about reality as defined by science, clear thinking, observations and relevant realities such as water shortages, Peak Oil, Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Species extinction, climate destabilization and a host of other challenges facing the human race as to overpopulation.  For those that 'get' it, I speak to you; for those who can't or won't 'get' it or cannot understand it, I won't waste my time.  Galileo didn't and I won't. The 21st century awaits those able to think in 21st century understandings.  FW

Comment by Anonymous
Entered on:

 Hey, Ned, Frosty was the one who started calling you, me and even Ernie and the rest of us -- who voiced a contrary opinion to his end of the world due to population overload fantasy -- a bunch of  "innumerates" or ignorant.  If you are happy with it, I'm not. 

I'm okay with it if he was in fact telling the truth about the level or degree of higher and advance education that I have to earn a reputation of an ignoramus.  I speak for myself and I know he was lying when he spat out that sh ....ts the first time he went berserk. From that time on, I locked an eagle eye on his every disinformation move that does not only mislead but abuse the intelligence of the public.

He stepped out of line and I put him back. He is now stepping on the brake on name-calling after he bumped on someone standing ten feet tall in front of him. Besides, what he said about you and me and the rest of us and his immigration-population shock are attractive bones to chase and chew on.

Comment by Ned The Head
Entered on:

OMFG! I'm probably gonna get crucified for this but I just got this visual image of a dog chasing Frosty on his bicycle and  nipping at his leg and the name sprang to mind: Bakadog.

I don't really feel like fighting today but that one was just too good to pass up.

Comment by Ned The Head
Entered on:

Hey Frost, there's this mass of unintelligible characters at the bottom of your piece. It' "pushing the page" horizontally. You might be able to get into the editor and clear anything below your content--even if it just looks like a blank space.

And somebody better go round and see if Bakadude is OK. He usually can't resist a chance at biting Frosty's leg so I'm naturally concerned ;)

Comment by Frosty Wooldridge
Entered on:

Ross,

Actually, US women since 1970 have averaged 2.03 children.  Easiest way to stop overpopulation in America: reduce all immigration to less than 100,000 per year. Why 100,000? That's how many egress the country annually.  We're already at ZPG; we just need to stop mass and unending immigration coming from a line that grows by 80 million annually. Thanks for your ideas.  FW

Comment by Ross Wolf
Entered on:

America could easily reduce its population expansion by government offering cash incentives to teenagers ages 12 through 19 not to get pregnant. Perhaps pay teenage girls $200 a month. Over a period of 8-years that would amount to $19,200, a small amount considering how much States and Federal Government spend to support children born out of wedlock.  


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