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on The "P" Word and Climate Change
It is love and respect for future generations that motivates environmentalists who advocate for wise, compassionate, forward-looking decisions about family size. You wouldn't toss your kids into a lifeboat so overcrowded that it was about to sink, and then suggest that everybody go on a diet.
We must manage our resources better. But that alone will not result in a positive future for our children and grandchildren. Population levels have to be managed better, too.
Just because Malthus was an elitist, does NOT make every modern-day sustainable population advocate a racist. I'm sure Hitler liked to have a roof over his head. Does that make everyone who wants shelter a Nazi?
There is plenty of data, from well-respected places like Global Footprint Network.
Dave Gardner
Producer/Director
Hooked on Growth: Our Misguided Quest for Prosperity
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on The "P" Word and Climate Change
Yes, but don't assume those who advocate responsible family size are limiting their focus to "poor countries." And don't forget the billions in those "poor countries" don't plan to remain poor. As they strive to acquire an American lifestyle, everyone on the planet will be glad if there are less of them. The planet cannot even temporarily support 7 billion people at an American rate of consumption. Billions may be poor today, but if you want to lift them out of poverty, you'd better include smaller population size in your plans.
Dave Gardner
Producer/Director
Hooked on Growth: Our Misguided Quest for Prosperity
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on The "P" Word and Climate Change
Yes, it's difficult to predict when we will hit the point where technology can no longer save us. It could be today. I would not bet on continued technological miracles, especially when we cannot manage to keep one billion people from starving today.
Dave Gardner
Producer/Director
Hooked on Growth: Our Misguided Quest for Prosperity
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on The "P" Word and Climate Change
9 billion people not eating meat will not do the trick. If you want to avoid addressing population growth, then try "not eating."
Dave Gardner
Producer/Director
Hooked on Growth: Our Misguided Quest for Prosperity
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on The "P" Word and Climate Change
We need to be clear that with 7 billion people on the planet, there IS no elegant, ethical way to live sustainably. Reducing population is not a last resort and not a way to enable laziness. We have no choice but to learn to live more lightly on the planet. But to do so elegantly there will need to be fewer of us doing so.
Dave Gardner
Producer/Director
Hooked on Growth: Our Misguided Quest for Prosperity
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on The "P" Word and Climate Change
I find it very curious that we are willing to talk about, sometimes assess fees for, and in some cases dictate, how people impact our world in so many ways. We monitor emissions, fine companies for polluting, incentivize smaller residential lots and carpooling, create urban boundaries, regulate septic systems and water wells, etc. But we are scared to death to even talk about responsible family size.
What a bunch of cowards we are!
We have a lot of discussion of ecological footprint these days, but most who discuss it are afraid to discuss the number of feet. The math is quite simple: human impact = per-capita resource intensity X population.
I hope the guests on the show address recent studies revealing how reducing or eliminating population growth is the cheapest way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reports on the carbon legacy of having babies.
Dave Gardner
Producer/Director
Hooked on Growth: Our Misguided Quest for Prosperity
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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