The Nourished Earth

NECSP's Monthly Newsletter of Population Stabilization and Sustainable Living

Volume 8 -- February 2009

In This Issue

NECSP Board in Action
Support Sustainability
Guest Writer
Our Grassroots Education

Contribute Your Voice

Have something to say about sustainable development and stabilized population?

Contact Joe Bish at joebish@necsp.org with your ideas. We are very interested in local voices talking about local perspectives.

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Still Time To Act -- Speak Out on Global Population!!!

There is still time for you to help weaken a decades-long taboo against open discussion of human population issues. You don't have to be famous or hold an advanced degree -- you just have to care.

You have to care about the 355,000 children that will be born today. As many as half of their conceptions were unintended or unwanted. Why weren't their parents educated about family planning and given access to a full array of contraceptive choices to utilize?

You have to care that Arctic sea ice is melting far quicker than projected by computer models. Comparing actual ice observations with advanced climate models, scientists conclude that the Arctic could be seasonally free of sea ice as early as 2020.

You have to care that for centuries off the coast of Nova Scotia, Cod-fish have been caught for human nourishment... but their systematic slaughter began only after 1852. Now, in terms of their biomass (the aggregate mass of the species) they are 96% depleted.

You have to care about these and one thousand other obvious distress calls from our planet and take the responsibility of having a human voice seriously. You know the cartoon of the single penguin -- standing in a flock of 10,000 others that look just like him, he is singing out loudly.

And you know what? Someone may hear him and think, "Oh yeah, I agree, but I didn't know anyone else did." And then they will take the risk and raise their voice. And then another. And another. And pretty soon, its only the silent ones that look silly.

No matter how small your act, please raise your voice sometime between now and the end of February. We bet someone will listen.

GLOBAL POPULATION SPEAK OUT LINKS

http://gpso.wordpress.com/pledgers-efforts/

http://gpso.wordpress.com/media/

Support NECSP's efforts for the GPSO

Our Board in Action

Henry Barbaro, Treasurer

Henry submitted a letter to the editor in his hometown of Jamaica Plain, MA for the Global Population Speak Out. Henry says, "If we want to leave a healthy planet to our children, changing the way we use resources and energy is essential, but it will not be enough. Even the most frugal and eco-sensitive lifestyle impacts the environment, and that is why addressing human overpopulation is critical to assuring human sustainability and security in the 21st century."

Also, Henry will be teaching a workshop titled "Population and Sustainable Living," at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Environmental Education Society on Wednesday, March 4 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester MA.

Linn Harwell, Vice Chair

Linn submitted a letter to the editor to the Valley News in White River Junction VT. Linn says, "The question I raise, as an octogenarian who lived through the Great Depression and World War II, relates to matters of population. Readers will agree that 2 + 2 = 4. Since the '50s... the U.S. population has grown by 100 million.

"2 + 2 = 4. The world's population has doubled since 1965, and is currently growing by nearly 80 million people per year. By 2050 it is estimated that the present world population of 6.7 billion will be 9.2 billion. As the late Hugh Moore, philanthropist of Pennsylvania declared, 'Your Cause Is a Lost Cause Unless You Support Family Planning.'"

George Plumb, Chairman & Lee Strauss

George and Lee secured some of the first major good news for the Global Population Speak Out by arranging for The Bridge newspaper, a weekly out of Montpelier VT, to host a community forum on population issues on February 19th, and then devote their March 19th issue to the same topic. This was a positive, New England based start for a global effort and paved the way to many interviews and news stories for GPSO organizer John Feeney.

So let's all be thankful that the NECSP Board is so active and dedicated. Working with them, we can make a real difference!!!

Support NECSP by making a tax-deductible donation through our secure, easy to use fund-raising page!!!

Guest Writer: Mike Hanauer

We love to hear from local population activists and are eager to print your thinking. This month, long time sustainable population advocate Mike Hanauer shares this recent letter to the editor he wrote:

Dear Appalachian Mountian Club Outdoors Editor:

I am disappointed that my suggestion of limiting family size was not included in the article "Shrinking Your Carbon Footprint" in the November 2008 "AMC Outdoors" article. Population growth in America is a major and overarching environmental problem.

With respect to your great idea of looking for personal tips to reduce our carbon footprint:

There is probably no better way to reduce a family carbon footprint than to decide to have a small family - two, one or no children (try adopting). One less child will have a much larger impact on our carbon footprint than any other option (and perhaps all the other options combined). Without stabilizing our own population, we will have difficulty saving anything.

The United States has just surpassed 300 million people and, with current immigration and natural increase trends, we will surpass 1/2 billion in only about 40 years. At our current growth rate, in 100 years, we could well rival china in size if we don't act. Our impact, both here and worldwide, would be devastating.

Thus far, our efforts to control greenhouse gases are failing largely because our population growth overwhelms all other attempts. The Department of Energy predicts that the US will need 19 percent more energy in 2030 than we use today in spite of conservation -- because of population growth (reaching 366 million by then).

And even beyond greenhouse gases, just think how much a stable population would also help to reduce pollution, water use, trail maintenance, traffic, over fishing, and so many other costs. A school or home or shopping center not built is way more beneficial than an added one built "green" to support growth.

The truth is, if we really want to save the planet, we must stop ignoring our population growth -- right here in the USA. That will also set an example for other nations to do the same (perhaps with our help).

US Population growth may be Earth's biggest problem. Environmental organizations such as the AMC would do a true service for our children (and those all over the world) by promoting the overarching benefits of US population stabilization. If we really care, there is no choice.

Our Public Education is Rolling Along

It was the pleasure of 20 Keene residents to attend Sarah Harpster's sustainable population presentation, conducted at Antioch New England University on February 12th.

Sarah worked hard promoting her event and maximized the free publicity that she could find. This included announcements on local radio and TV, and a spot in the Environment section of the Keene Sentinel. The turn out was a good mix of different generations all engaging in thoughtful dialog and conversation.

Sarah also made February presentations at D-Acres farm in Dorchester, NH, (10 people) and the Keene Rotary Club (40 people). In the coming weeks, she will be presenting to an environmental studies class at Plymouth State University and to a wider public group at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH. She also tabled at the The Bridge community forum in Montpelier, VT on February 19.

Do you have an event, fair, festival, civic or religious group or club or class that would benefit from seeing Sarah's presentation?

Contact her today:

http://necsp.org/About/sarah2008.html

Forward The Nourished Earth to a friend | (603) 283-6686

The Nourished Earth NECSP's Monthly Newsletter of Population Stabilization and Sustainable Living
Volume 8 -- February 2009
In This Issue NECSP Board in Action Support Sustainability Guest Writer Our Grassroots Education Contribute Your Voice Have something to say about sustainable development and stabilized population? Contact Joe Bish at joebish@necsp.org with your ideas. We are very interested in local voices talking about local perspectives.	Still Time To Act -- Speak Out on Global Population!!! There is still time for you to help weaken a decades-long taboo against open discussion of human population issues. You don't have to be famous or hold an advanced degree -- you just have to care. You have to care about the 355,000 children that will be born today. As many as half of their conceptions were unintended or unwanted. Why weren't their parents educated about family planning and given access to a full array of contraceptive choices to utilize? You have to care that Arctic sea ice is melting far quicker than projected by computer models. Comparing actual ice observations with advanced climate models, scientists conclude that the Arctic could be seasonally free of sea ice as early as 2020. You have to care that for centuries off the coast of Nova Scotia, Cod-fish have been caught for human nourishment... but their systematic slaughter began only after 1852. Now, in terms of their biomass (the aggregate mass of the species) they are 96% depleted. You have to care about these and one thousand other obvious distress calls from our planet and take the responsibility of having a human voice seriously. You know the cartoon of the single penguin -- standing in a flock of 10,000 others that look just like him, he is singing out loudly. And you know what? Someone may hear him and think, "Oh yeah, I agree, but I didn't know anyone else did." And then they will take the risk and raise their voice. And then another. And another. And pretty soon, its only the silent ones that look silly. No matter how small your act, please raise your voice sometime between now and the end of February. We bet someone will listen. GLOBAL POPULATION SPEAK OUT LINKS http://gpso.wordpress.com/pledgers-efforts/ http://gpso.wordpress.com/media/ Support NECSP's efforts for the GPSO Our Board in Action Henry Barbaro, Treasurer Henry submitted a letter to the editor in his hometown of Jamaica Plain, MA for the Global Population Speak Out. Henry says, "If we want to leave a healthy planet to our children, changing the way we use resources and energy is essential, but it will not be enough. Even the most frugal and eco-sensitive lifestyle impacts the environment, and that is why addressing human overpopulation is critical to assuring human sustainability and security in the 21st century." Also, Henry will be teaching a workshop titled "Population and Sustainable Living," at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Environmental Education Society on Wednesday, March 4 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester MA. Linn Harwell, Vice Chair Linn submitted a letter to the editor to the Valley News in White River Junction VT. Linn says, "The question I raise, as an octogenarian who lived through the Great Depression and World War II, relates to matters of population. Readers will agree that 2 + 2 = 4. Since the '50s... the U.S. population has grown by 100 million. "2 + 2 = 4. The world's population has doubled since 1965, and is currently growing by nearly 80 million people per year. By 2050 it is estimated that the present world population of 6.7 billion will be 9.2 billion. As the late Hugh Moore, philanthropist of Pennsylvania declared, 'Your Cause Is a Lost Cause Unless You Support Family Planning.'" George Plumb, Chairman & Lee Strauss George and Lee secured some of the first major good news for the Global Population Speak Out by arranging for The Bridge newspaper, a weekly out of Montpelier VT, to host a community forum on population issues on February 19th, and then devote their March 19th issue to the same topic. This was a positive, New England based start for a global effort and paved the way to many interviews and news stories for GPSO organizer John Feeney. So let's all be thankful that the NECSP Board is so active and dedicated. Working with them, we can make a real difference!!! Support NECSP by making a tax-deductible donation through our secure, easy to use fund-raising page!!! Guest Writer: Mike Hanauer We love to hear from local population activists and are eager to print your thinking. This month, long time sustainable population advocate Mike Hanauer shares this recent letter to the editor he wrote: Dear Appalachian Mountian Club Outdoors Editor: I am disappointed that my suggestion of limiting family size was not included in the article "Shrinking Your Carbon Footprint" in the November 2008 "AMC Outdoors" article. Population growth in America is a major and overarching environmental problem. With respect to your great idea of looking for personal tips to reduce our carbon footprint: There is probably no better way to reduce a family carbon footprint than to decide to have a small family - two, one or no children (try adopting). One less child will have a much larger impact on our carbon footprint than any other option (and perhaps all the other options combined). Without stabilizing our own population, we will have difficulty saving anything. The United States has just surpassed 300 million people and, with current immigration and natural increase trends, we will surpass 1/2 billion in only about 40 years. At our current growth rate, in 100 years, we could well rival china in size if we don't act. Our impact, both here and worldwide, would be devastating. Thus far, our efforts to control greenhouse gases are failing largely because our population growth overwhelms all other attempts. The Department of Energy predicts that the US will need 19 percent more energy in 2030 than we use today in spite of conservation -- because of population growth (reaching 366 million by then). And even beyond greenhouse gases, just think how much a stable population would also help to reduce pollution, water use, trail maintenance, traffic, over fishing, and so many other costs. A school or home or shopping center not built is way more beneficial than an added one built "green" to support growth. The truth is, if we really want to save the planet, we must stop ignoring our population growth -- right here in the USA. That will also set an example for other nations to do the same (perhaps with our help). US Population growth may be Earth's biggest problem. Environmental organizations such as the AMC would do a true service for our children (and those all over the world) by promoting the overarching benefits of US population stabilization. If we really care, there is no choice. Our Public Education is Rolling Along It was the pleasure of 20 Keene residents to attend Sarah Harpster's sustainable population presentation, conducted at Antioch New England University on February 12th. Sarah worked hard promoting her event and maximized the free publicity that she could find. This included announcements on local radio and TV, and a spot in the Environment section of the Keene Sentinel. The turn out was a good mix of different generations all engaging in thoughtful dialog and conversation. Sarah also made February presentations at D-Acres farm in Dorchester, NH, (10 people) and the Keene Rotary Club (40 people). In the coming weeks, she will be presenting to an environmental studies class at Plymouth State University and to a wider public group at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH. She also tabled at the The Bridge community forum in Montpelier, VT on February 19. Do you have an event, fair, festival, civic or religious group or club or class that would benefit from seeing Sarah's presentation? Contact her today: http://necsp.org/About/sarah2008.html
Forward The Nourished Earth to a friend \| (603) 283-6686