By Lionel A. Cone Santa Monica
I had the chance to read (David Pisarra’s) thought-provoking column (“Baby boom a bust,” Jan. 9, page 4), when by chance, I picked up a copy of the Santa Monica Daily Press while having a bite to eat at the New York Deli.
Overpopulation is the issue that no one wants to address. The reasons are obvious: As a politician, you don’t win votes by telling people to “cool” their reproductive ardor or even suggest that we should limit the number of children allowed per family. Most would suspect any kind of restriction on reproduction as a transgression of a fundamental right. After all, isn’t this what people are told to do in authoritarian China?
Our wonderful religions encourage people to be “fruitful and multiply.” Our dear planet and all that is here was given to us by an all-knowing god and we can do with it whatever we please. Do religious leaders ever tell their congregants to be judicious in their reproductive activities or that all life forms have a right to be here?
The captains of industry want more people in order to have ever-expanding markets to sell goods and services. You won’t hear anything from these types about control-ling human population growth.
I am afraid that those of us who believe that overpopulation is the most serious matters affecting our current quality of life and future survival are up against powerful forces. How do we begin the process of changing perceptions and bringing to everyone’s consciousness the dangers of unsustainable growth? This is the real challenge and I wish I had some answers.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 9, 2007. Read the original PDF.