
CONNECTING THE DOTS
Frosty Wooldridge
More About: Politics: General ActivismThe Nature Conservancy fails to grasp reality
As a 30 year
member of The Nature Conservancy, an organization that has secured millions of
acres of land and habitat since 1951 by purchasing it to save it, I feel
compelled to expose organization’s lack of addressing human
overpopulation. The driver and the
reason for The Nature Conservancy’s efforts remains: human overpopulation.
In their
latest journal, the Conservancy published their lead scientist’s article “Are
there too many people in the world?”
The author Peter Kareiva shows a total disregard for addressing human
overpopulation as the main driver of loss of habitat. In fact, he suffers “embarrassment”
if he would address human overpopulation.
Worse, the
Conservancy refuses to publish authors and scientists that do address human
overpopulation. Mark R. Tercek, CEO,
thinks that if he ignores the “population factor”, it will vanish on its
own. Reality check: it is growing worse
by 80 million added humans net gain annually and 1 billion net gain every 12
years on its way from 7.1 billion to 10.1 billion and beyond by 2050—a scant 37
years from now. Write Mark R. Tercek at magazine@tnc.org and give him a few of your
own thoughts. The article may be
accessed: http://churchandstate.org.uk/2012/12/nature-conservancys-chief-scientist-pooh-poohs-population-growth/
The question
remains: how can he publish inane lead
scientists who lack the common sense to address reality, but in fact, feel
embarrassed to deal with the population equation?
My friend
and fellow population activist, writer and filmmaker, Dave Gardner, Colorado
Springs, leads www.growthbusters.org
.
He replied to Kareiva’s commentary:
Dave Gardner says:
December 9, 2012 at 6:17 am
December 9, 2012 at 6:17 am
Please pardon my taking exception to much of what is written in this piece.
Most of the arguments here do not disprove the hypothesis that the world is
overpopulated. The idea that we may just need to rearrange the way we live is
far from scientific proof that Earth can sustain 7 billion of us. The fact that
densely populated cities may be engines of innovation has nothing to do with
whether the world is overpopulated. Even the fact that there were significant
extinctions at times with smaller populations does not disprove the existence
of overpopulation today.
So one is left to wonder exactly what the purpose of
this commentary is.
While this list may not be conclusive proof, it is a pretty clear indication
human numbers have reached a point that we cannot manage our affairs in a
sustainable way:
Climate change
Massive species extinction
Depletion of aquifers
Rivers over-appropriated
Toxification of our freshwater
Ocean dead zones
Fisheries decline
Fertile soil depletion
Doubling of resource prices in the last decade
Continued large-scale hunger
Massive species extinction
Depletion of aquifers
Rivers over-appropriated
Toxification of our freshwater
Ocean dead zones
Fisheries decline
Fertile soil depletion
Doubling of resource prices in the last decade
Continued large-scale hunger
Being embarrassed at feeling your quality of life is lower due to the number
of people in your community, your state, your country, or the world, is one of
the things that prevents us from dealing with the issue of overpopulation
effectively. Don’t be embarrassed. If we have to give up quality of life
because we are afraid to talk about overpopulation, then we will get what is
coming to us.
Another is repeating the tired, completely off-the-mark mantra about who
should be taken out, if indeed we are overpopulated. Those truly interested in the
science, and not just interested in distracting us from the problem, know and
will tell us that we can humanely, voluntarily reduce human population
significantly over the next century simply by choosing to limit our own family
size. Fear not; no one has to be executed.
Making contraception more accessible, giving women more equality in these
decisions, and making accurate information about overpopulation available are
all important ingredients. Let me repeat: making accurate information widely
available. Being embarrassed and spreading disinformation are really not
helpful.
The Nature
Conservancy must get a grip. The entire
citizenry of the planet must get a grip. We cannot keep growing at 80 million
net gain annually and hope to survive the 21st century. Take action by joining these groups: www.CapsWeb.org ; www.NumbersUSA.org
; www.Fairus.Org and www.TheSocialContract.com
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:
“Immigration by the numbers—off the chart” by Roy Beck
This 10 minute demonstration shows Americans the results of
unending mass immigration on the quality of life and sustainability for future
generations: in a word “Mind boggling!” www.NumbersUSA.org
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
Visit www.populationmedia.org
for up to date information on overpopulation worldwide.
Must see: Rapid Population Decline, seven minute video by
Dr. Jack Alpert-
Must see: www.growthbusters.org
; www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXSTrW_dARc
Dave Gardner's Polar Bear in Bedroom:
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
Producer: GEORGE A. COLBURNwww.tomorrowsamerica.com
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 eight times across the USA, coast to
coast and border to border. In 2005, he bicycled from the Arctic Circle, Norway
to Athens, Greece. In 2012, he bicycled coast to coast across America 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
speaks all over the United States: How
to Live a Life of Adventure: The Art of
Exploring the World. Copies at 1 888 280 7715.
Programs click: http://www.HowToLiveALifeOfAdventure.com