World Population Day (and we’re still avoiding the subject)
Posted by Dave Gardner on Jul 11, 2010Today fifteen on-camera performers and a volunteer crew of 10 will be joining me in a big Hollywood production. We’re shooting a video visualizing what our world might look like in a future where continued overpopulation and over-consumption have led to worldwide resource scarcity and social conflict.
It will be a scary picture. Will this kind of shock therapy work? Will audiences view this science fiction scenario and immediately change their own lives, get over the taboo on discussing responsible family-size decisions, and step up efforts to change a system hooked on growth?
The truth is we don’t know. Some sustainability advocates advise that instead of pointing out the dangers of where we’re headed, we should focus on painting an optimistic picture of where we want to go. They’re dead certain doom and gloom won’t sell an idea. And they may be right. Yet, there is no evidence it’s any more effective to follow the advice of that old song: “eliminate the negative, and accentuate the positive.”
No one has ever complained about doom and gloom when someone shouted a warning that kept a person from stepping off the curb in front of an oncoming bus. So I think we should grow up and be willing to discuss both the negative consequences of business-as-usual and the joys of stepping off the hamsterwheel of growth addiction. I suspect there are benefits to both messages of hope and red flags of warning. Both have a role to play.
Along these lines, I don’t think it serves us well to tiptoe around a subject just because it’s unpleasant or unpopular. I spoke out about this last year in this appearance on Inside Story, broadcast by Al Jazeera English on World Population Day in 2009:
When the negative baggage associated with population control was brought up, I responded, “what about population information?” It is time we openly discuss overpopulation and educate everyone around the world, rich or poor, dark-skinned or light, about the ramifications of their family-size decisions. There is nothing draconian or racist about that. In fact it is a very humanitarian, loving, and compassionate idea – to act responsibly so that our children can have a good life. I also advocated for citizens to give organizations and elected officials permission to address this issue openly and honestly.
As it happens, today is once again World Population Day. And I am disappointed, yet again, that World Population Day statements from the U.N. Secretary-General and UNFPA Executive Director intentionally tap dance around the subject of overpopulation. All I can say is, “Good grief! Get a backbone!”
Dave Gardner is producing the non-profit documentary, Hooked on Growth: Our Misguided Quest for Prosperity.
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:43 am
Good work Dave!
I am eagerly awaiting the release of your new documentary and will be buying a copy and showing it to friends.
July 27th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Thanks, Gregory. We have a growing list of friends and fans who will play a vital role in getting this film funded and distributed. I appreciate the help. Tell your friends!
August 10th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
The problem is RELIGION! These stupid ignorant “Go forth and multiply” people are creating too many babies and that is resulting in overpopulation. From Catholics who believe that birth control is a sin to Muslims who have multiple wives and all the other relegions that take this multiplying to the extreme. We have multiplied to the point that it has become very crowded in many parts of our world. And of course the UN is unwilling to offend the worlds popular religions. The UN is part of the problem because of their unwillingness to counter these religious beliefs with an effective program. China’s One Child Policy, despite its flaws has helped the Chinese avoid a serious overpopulation crisis.