THEZEPHYRSEPTEMBER 1990 from the western association of land users Problem Number 1 Overpopulation PAGE 21 Estimated energy consumption (amount consumed per person by Jane S. Jones Overpopulation In 1950, the United States was populated by approximately 152 million people. In It 1988, contained approximately 246 million within Its borders. The size of our country remained virtually the same, but our elbows got closer together as we accommodated the 94 million additions. This Increase came from the natural growth of our population (more births than deaths) and from Immigration. Our population here In America, though overcrowded from the Ideal balance of resources to human beings, Is not growing very fast anymore. The U.S. population grew about 9 from 1980 to 1989. Utah, with a higher than average birth rate (22 per 1000) and lower than average death rate (5.7 per 1000) Is one of the few states still showing appreciable growth. We In Utah, are also, of course, growing from those who move In from other states. I dont think Im going out on a limb to say that here In the U.S., population control Is still a controversial Idea. Its not surprising. For millions of years, man has been using the formula: lots of kids equals success. The more the merrier, to do the work and take care of Mom and Dad, to carry on the name and the species. Choice of family size still seems like one of those "Inalienable rights. But whether some of us approve or not, modem life slowly but surely causes a lessening of the growth of a given population and we are seeing It happen right before our eyes In this country. Birth and fertility rates, which Increased dramatically In the 1940s and 1950s, rapidly declined In the 1960s and early 70s and has been fairly steady since 1975. And Just think how the pressures of society would lessen If we could actually reduce our population back to the 1950 level. But population growth Is not slowing very quickly at all In the rest of the world. For example, although the U.S. Is only expected to grow by 50 million by the year 2020, China Is expected to Increase by 317 million, and India Is projected to grow by 939 million. Its a very difficult problem, with no pat answers. But I have to say to those who would rather sit In the lap of luxury called America and forget about the overpopulation problem: remember that the problem wJJJ resolve Itself at some point In time. Nature will, provide a solution by doing away with large segments of humanity, In any of several unsavory ways. Perhaps, my child's children will experience It Perhaps It will be sooner. Having considered this, I am forced to face the problem and start to seek a solution. Now. A humane solution that perhaps starts with education, birth control and social changes that promote smaller families. If we gain control of population growth and world population actually begins to decline, we can finally start achieving some control over the earth's greatest problems: disease, economic Inequity, overuse of energy, loss of fairness and ethics In dealing with our fellow man. None of these can be affected positively If rapid expansion of human beings continues. In an overpopulated world, land withdrawals here In America, will, without question, result In land use, without environmental regulation, In some foreign non-renewa- ble country. Overconsumption We can blame less developed countries for continuing to overpopulate the earth, but we cant blame them for overconsuming. On the contrary, many of them are starving. And few of their children who do survive will grow up to own and drive cars which emit pollutants and use up resources like theres no tomorrow; or expect a vast array of consumer goods In their shopping mall. We could show some restraint, but we dont We'll go to war to keep on burning that gas, Instead of perhaps trying to get by with what we can produce ourselves. I am ashamed of our excesses, as shown In the following statistics from National Geographic (December 1988): non-renewa- ble Small wonder that tempers are frayed and emotions run high when wilderness advocates and mining law reformers challenge the rights of small businessmen who raise cattle, mine minerals, cut timber, pump oil and gas and otherwise supply the goods and materials that society demands. And let me pause for Just a moment to ask a question: why should the short end of every stick go to the small businessman? Why are we being forced out of and Into working for big business or some government or federal agency? Why are only service businesses being encouraged now? Increasingly, the small Individual and family business Is being pushed out of commodity production. The rugged Individualist, unpredictable and always difficult to control, Is being regulated out of business. Big business will always find a way to continue when the rules are changed. It has the resources to move elsewhere, to hire better lawyers, make bigger payoffs, befriend a few more politicians. The small businessman Is the only one In America that has to follow all the rules or go to Jail. He can also try to fight, but his voice Is small Just like his business, and very seldom Is his voice heard. And what I feel Is a bigger threat: as he squabbles with his neighborhood preservationist group about the right to make a living, the local federal agency Is Increasing Its power base. Its officials hold the hands of both groups. While talking out of both sides of their mouths, these bureaucrats continue to grab more lands, abolish rights, and spew forth new regulations designed to confuse and divide and conquer. They should keep In mind that wholesale slaughter Is an option for population control In this country. Federal bureaucrats are one group that many of us, preservationists and land users groups alike, would not miss for one minute. It makes no sense here, or anywhere else In the world, to withdraw any land from people who can both make a living and provide the world with what Is needed for Its survival. It makes no sense either to continue to reduce American commodity production and push us to becoming an Importer of all our raw materials. Rather, we should focus on ways to reduce the usage of world resources by reducing the need for them, through technology and old fashioned Ingenuity. Then, the resources will begin to slow and production of commodities and the drain on we can start creating a better future for everyone. ent non-renewa- ble Jane S. Jones Is SecretaryT reasurer of the Western Association of Land Users, a state-wiorganization formed to fight mining law changes and wilderness designations. It meets every fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. In the Courthouse Council Chambers. de University of Utahs Classic Greek Theatre presents: OEDIPUS REX Saturday, October 6th, 8:30 AM at the proposed Kokopelli National Theatre Park (4 miles east of Moab) There will be a lecturediscussion on Sophocles Oedepus Rex on Friday evening, October 5th, 7:30 PM at Star Hall in Moab. program sponsored by: The University of Utah The Utah Endowment for the Humanities The Utah Arts Council The Canyonlands- Arts Council with support from: . Contel City Market This - Utah Power & Light Tickets are: $5 - Adults $3 - Seniors & Students available at Daves Corner Market & the Moab Community Coop