OCR Text |
Show Wisls Go ald, See As economist Kenneth Boulding so succinctly put it, “Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist.” I’’Il leave it to the reader to decide where those fall within that realm who claim population is not within the purview of environmental organizations. aeeaauiinn 2006 THE POPULATION FIX.... BY EDWARD C. HARTMAN Many environmentalists” immigration solution seems to be “pack ‘em in ever mor- A Review by Kathleene Parker tightly and regulate in a futile attempt to mitigate,” never mind Isaac Asimov’’s “Democracy cannot withstand overpopulation.” Nor do they seem to understanding that it accomplishes little to reduce consumption An addict pursues his or her addiction unmindful, uncaring or unaware of the harm the addiction does. Within that context, THE POPULATION FIX author Edward C. Hartman—motivated by an obligation to future generations inspired by the birth of his grandson in 1996—puts forth the analogy that the United States is addicted to population growth, and like an addict, is largely unaware of its “problem.” While most of the rest of the developed world has stopped growing and is, arguably better able to face environmental and other challenges, we boom, and enjoy—or endure, depending on your subjectivity —a one-percent annual growth rate, or doubling times of 60 years or less. (Statistical trends indicate that the official one-percent growth rate was likely replaced several years ago by growth in ranges of 1.5 to 2.0 percent, the point being that growth is so out of control no one really knows our growth rate or even our exact population!) Hartman defines our economic, political and physiological addiction to growth. He talks about the main addicts: home builders, land developers and land speculators, who demand endless growth as a business subsidy and farmers, the hospitality industry and food processors, who demand an endless supply of cheap labor, no matter the cost to the nation’s long-term well being. : Hartman discusses addiction’s victims, such as native-born minorities and nativeborn poor, taxpayers who subsidize growth by paying for ever-expanding infrastructure and endure existing infrastructure neglected in the preoccupation with growth; water users, especially in arid regions such as the drought-stricken Southwest and even outdoor recreation enthusiasts who pay the “price” as urbanization compromises what they love or brings competition for the use of what they love. The United States at night, from geo-stationary orbit...300 million of us if population increases nullify the results. Think of the environmental benefits of a stable population— —to sprawl, to forests, to wildlife, to agriculture, to energy conservation— —if no new houses or expanding city boundaries are needed to accommodate growth. Think of automotive engineering gains actually stretching fuel supplies, rather than just ~ accommodating ever more cars! Think of water conservation in drought-stricken states going to refill reservoirs and provide water for wildlife, not just subsidize land speculators’ demands for evermore growth! Some, particularly the corporate media, define overpopulation within the narrow definition of whether there will be adequate food. But many of us believe humans need open spaces, solitude, the joy of seeing wildlife orjust knowing wildlife are there. We also believe in a planet not in environmental freefall. i And, food is a far more critical issue than depicted. And, as in a dysfunctional family, we have enablers, ever growth-fueling government, politicians and news media and those who espouse smart growth, unmindful that itis an oxymoron or of the environmental burden of supporting even the smartest growth. Hartman’s book may ruffle feathers. It certainly slays more than a few sacred cows, but no one who reads it will ever again make blind assumptions about growth or unquestioningly consider growth to be “good.” EDWARD C. HARTMAN Hartman defines our economic, political and physiological addiction to growth. He talks about the main addicts: home builders, land develop-. ers and land speculators, who demand endless growth as a business subsidy and farmers, the hospitality industry and food processors, who demand an endless supply of cheap labor, no matter the cost to the nation’s long-term well being. Some, particularly the corporate media, define overpopulation within the narrow definition of whether — there will be adequate food. But many of us believe humans need open spaces, solitude, the joy of seeing wildlife or just knowing wildlife are there. We also believe in a planet not in environmental freefall. The much-hailed “green revolution,” which tripled grain harvest between 1950 and 2000, was dependent on irrigation and fossil fuels. This is today replaced by the “food bubble,” as agricultural expectations deflate as aquifers decline and energy costs, for pumping, fertilizers and crop transport, skyrocket. This will worsen as the United States, in the 1950s and 1960s a major food exporter, within two decades becomes a food importer as we pave over farmlands— — 122,000 acre are lost a year in California alone— —and increase our own numbers. Nor have the impacts of Disney’’s First Law “solutions,” such as biofuels, like ethanol, been considered as they are touted as an alternative to our having to limit our numbers or send our Hummers to the great parking garage in relative infancy, ethanol will require 14 million India’s distilleries are not yet on line. Just think of the implications to poor nations Americans wanting grains to “feed” hungry cars! won't be SUVs. in the sky. This year with the industry tons of grain even though China’s and forced to compete against one billion I have little doubt who will lose, and it (Parker, a journalist, publisher and longtime environmental activist, is a native of the Four Corners area. During her lifetime, she has seen cities such as Las Vegas, Phoenix and Denver grow from tens of thousands of people to millions. She lives in the Albuquerque suburb of Rio Rancho.) PACK CREEK RANCH cabins for rent With breathtaking rapidity, we are destroying all that was lovely to look at and turning America into a prison house of the Spirit. . _ For more information on TRAIL RIDES CABIN RENTALS ARE The Affluent Society, with relentless single-minded energy, is turning us into the most affluent slum on Earth. AVAILABLE THROUGH WINTER Eric Severeid THE MONTHS. with Ken, 435.259.8575 @ frontiernet.net kensleight NIGHTLY CABIN RENTALS 435.259.8333 jsleight1 @frontiernet.net 13 |