So, Ive been hearing too much about how population control is necessary lately. Aside from the fact that population control measures are massively authoritarian--if not downright fascistic-- that they are open to *massive* abuses and end up being discriminatory towards the poor, the disabled and women in general, the idea that they are necessary is false. The fact is, it is levels of consumption--absolutely unnecessary consumption at that--which is the problem. Our levels of consumption are increasing in a way which is utterly disproportionate to population growth. Consider some stats. Even accounting for population growth, from 1960 to 2006 the per capita consumption of natural resources globally tripled. In accomplishing this, metal production grew six times, oil consumption eight times and natural gas use 14 times. The average European uses some 43 kilos of natural resources daily, while the average US resident more than doubles that at 88 kilograms. Even accounting for the fact that the vast majority of the worlds population consumes far, far less than this, natural resources and ecosystem services equal to 1.3 planets are consumed by humans. We have a culture in developed countries which has consumption and capital at its heart. The rest of the world, in order to feed our material consumption, is exploited and oppressed, and often in ways so horrific that words can not fully express the brutality. They are also hugely impoverished and therefore access to contraception, education and womens rights--which play such a huge role in parents *deciding* when they can have kids--is massively restricted. Implementing and enforcing population control measures only serves to increase this oppression and encourage the progression towards dictatorship and fascism. We dont need population control, we need wealth redistribution and an end to the culture of consumption. Who thinks that forced sterilisation of the poor is a reasonable price to pay for a shiny, petrol guzzling car? Capitalism is *not* working. Only we can change that.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 17:44:38 +0000