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What is the ideal population for the earth? No one is sure exactly how many people the earth can support. However, we do know that the earth is affected by how much each person consumes. The more an individual consumes, the more of the earth's resources are used. Americans represent 5 percent of the world's population, but account for 25 percent of global natural resource consumption. Is it too late to do something about population growth? It is not too late! The world's population is growing, but the rate of growth has actually decreased. The time to act on this issue is now, as the largest generation ever of young people is about to enter its reproductive years. The choices these individuals make will impact the future of the planet. To encourage responsible choices, we promote educating and empowering women and girls, and improving access to family planning services. The Sierra Club Population Program's primary legislative goal is increased funding for initiatives that support these goals. Does Sierra Club support abortion? Sierra Club is a pro-choice organization. We support access to a comprehensive range of voluntary family planning health care services. Access to family planning reduces the need for abortions. The more women who plan their families and intend their pregnancies, the less demand there is for abortion services. Read more about this policy Are we simply imposing western views on other cultures by encouraging women's empowerment and family planning in other countries? In 1994 at the UN Cairo conference on population and development, almost 160 countries signed on to a "Plan of Action" in support of family planning and women's empowerment initiatives – and requested financial support to make these goals a reality in their countries. In accordance with this "Plan of Action," the Sierra Club advocates for universal access to voluntary family planning programs and reproductive health services, as well as access to basic rights for women and girls around the world. Are there words that should be avoided when discussing population issues? We don't use the phrase "population control" because we want it clear that we are promoting choice and voluntary educated decisions. Our work is not about controlling women's lives. We also prefer to use the words "family planning" instead of "birth control." Family planning encompases a much more comprehensive range of options for women. And, again, it is best to avoid any notion of "control." Finally, the word "overpopulation" could imply that some people are unwanted or unneeded. Instead, we refer to "population growth," which is a more quantifiable issue. Why does an environmental organization care about family planning issues? The Sierra Club recognizes that all of our environmental successes may be short-lived if they do not include efforts to address population growth. Meeting the basic need for family planning and reproductive health services now is a necessary investment for an improved environmental future. The growing population and its consumption patterns have profound consequences for the global environment, including species extinction, deforestation, desertification, climate change, and the destruction of natural ecosystems. These global environmental impacts pose a significant threat to the earth's sustainability and impact our quality of life. Why should we support family planning programs in other countries? The environmental and social impacts of population growth extend beyond national borders, affecting everyone that shares the earth's natural resources. Population growth increases the demand on natural resources, and impacts the entire global environment. As part of our foreign policy and national security goals, the United States committed to reducing population growth by contributing resources to achieve the broader objective of better social, economic, environmental, and health conditions in the developing world. Foreign assistance is an investment in global economic and environmental security. What is Sierra Club's position on immigration? A Tale of Two Immigrants Read Sierra Club Executive Director, Carl Pope's statement on immigration from Sierra Magazine July/August 1998. Sierra Club takes no position on United States immigration levels and policies. The Club's membership voted on April 25, 1998 to remain committed to environmental rights and protection for all within our borders, without discrimination based on immigration status. With this vote, our members have shown they understand that restricting immigration into the U.S. will not solve the planet's environmental problems. There is broad agreement within the Sierra Club to address the global environmental dilemmas exacerbated by population growth by supporting voluntary family planning programs and access to basic rights for women and girls around the world. The Sierra Club has an explicit policy of neutrality on immigration issues that is: "The Sierra Club can more effectively address the root causes of global population problems through its existing comprehensive approach:
We believe that by addressing the issues of girls' education, women's empowerment, and access and availability of family planning services, we can positively impact population and migration issues. Sierra Club takes an integrated and international approach to the global need for slowing population growth. By working to improve the status of women in society and protecting women's health, we can protect the earth's health and the global environment. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club |
