By Patty Brown, Population & Consumption Committee Chair, Thomas Hart Benton Group
July 11th, World Population Day, is a time to reflect on how humans have so successfully reproduced that only half of the world total of 6.8 billion people is sustainable. People understand deer being endangered by their own excessive numbers, but they don't want to think about this with humans.
To get people to think about the issues involved with overpopulation, the Thomas Hart Benton group Population and Consumption Committee planned activities around this annual United Nations designated day, and produced packets with a comprehensive handout and a free condom to give away. Posters with pictures of endangered species, a symbolic picture of a couple representing World Population Day and graphs showing the problems with over- population were displayed.
To attract attention to this important issue that needs to be discussed much more than it is, a giant condom costume was made and worn by a volunteer. Eight people helped pass out packets at four areas of Kansas City nightlife during the first two weeks in July. The event, especially "Mr. Condom", was a success. Most people were curious and smiled when they realized what the costume was and what we were doing. Some had pictures taken posing with this character. A bachelorette party in Westport took some wild pictures that you can only imagine! About 800 took packets. A few didn't appreciate us, including a business owner in the Power & Light District, where security guards told us where we could and couldn't stand. People generally had a good laugh and even thanked us for increasing awareness.
On July 11th there was a celebration at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in which a new Earth flag was raised in honor of the day and the ongoing exemplary environmental work of the church. Over all a good time was had and now there are thousands of people in KC that at least know that rapid population growth is important enough that every year a day is dedicated to bringing awareness to the various impacts and to family planning, as further explained.
Deaths are increasing from pollution, severe weather events and natural resource wars. Oil supply has peaked. 1.1 billion people lack clean water. Almost half of forest habitat is gone. We are now losing 1/2 of all species. These are all related to population and consumption of resources. The U.S. has the greatest per capita impact. Earth, this magnificent creation, consists of a diversely balanced interdependent web of life that we must protect.
Solutions include comprehensive sex education, increased funding for all forms of family planning worldwide, education and empowerment of females, adoption, having children later in life and decreased consumption. We'll have 9 billion people by 2050, unless the death rate increases. If 90% of women stop at two, rather that the current 2.6 children/ woman, we could stabilize population growth and decrease impacts.