We have all heard about the population explosion, but how many of us have been prodded into action? Why should we be motivated to act now? What can we do?
I'll pass along some facts according to categories, and then, a POSSIBLE SOLUTION. My sources are James George and the World Watch Institute.
First, facts re population growth, in no particular order,
- In the year 1994 alone the population of Earth increased by 88 MILLION People. (88,000,000 people is the equivalent of two new South Koreas)
- The world population in 1995 was over 5.6 BILLION People! Thats 5,600,000,000. Think about that for a while. Then look at the counter below and see for yourself what our population is RIGHT NOW. See how fast we humans are multiplying! (Yes, the counter is accurate - my thanks for Peter Russell for providing it.)
- In 1950 the world population was "only" 2.5 BILLION People; (its more than doubled in 45 years!)
- In the next 20 yrs another TWO BILLION MORE PEOPLE are expected; thats 7.6 Billion by 2015. That means in the next 20 yrs we will add almost as many people as were alive in 1950.
- Its estimated than in the last 100 yrs more people have been born than in the rest of human history put together.
- The projection of current trends puts the population in the year 2050 at between 8 to 12 BILLION. 8,000,000,000 -> 12,000,000,000 The UN projects 9.8 BILLION.
- Most of the population growth (93%) is in the developing countries where many men and women still say that they wish to have six or more children. Fortunately these developing countries (in the Southern Hemisphere for the most part) contrinbute far less pollution and waste then the Northern countries (20 to 30 times less than North America).
- Many women in the developing countries choose to have large families because they have no other means of acheiving social and economic security. Worldwide women get paid 40% less than men for the same jobs; have limited education and are forced to marry at a young age; have very limited access to bank credit and land; and have hardly any opportunities to participate in politics.
The last two facts suggest a possible solution:
One important way to slow population growth, and promote basic human development, according to the World Watch Institute (and I think its a good idea too!), is improvement of the well being of women by expanded access to health care, education and employment; and to make men more responsible for families.
This is a matter of attitudes, and of action - action towards your fellow Women, and your family. The Developed World should set an example for the Third World to follow. Be responsible for what you think, what you feel and do. Every flap of the butterfly's wings matters. If we get enough of us in line, a resonance could begin - the 100th monkey effect - the World could change, the numbers could start coming down to sustainable levels.
REMEMBER - WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, 16,743 MORE OF US EVERY MINUTE!
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- "Think Universal, Act Global"
