Dire Consequences of Overpopulation
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World population now stands at more than 5 billion people. If we continue as we are now doing, then by the year 2048 it will have doubled.
Today’s shortages of energy, food and housing are only a hint of what’s to come unless we act soon. If present trends continue, the world’s deserts will double by the end of the century, and deforestation will have claimed timberland the size of 40 Californias. Acute shortages of fuel will affect 350 million people by the year 2000. At the present rate of annual cutting, all tropical forests would disappear in 170 years.
It is clear that a finite resource base is unable to support a rapidly growing population.
The week of April 20-25 is “World Population Awareness Week,” a time for Americans to think about possible solutions for averting demographic disaster. At this time, U.S. governors have recognized World Population Awareness Week in their states. I hope that our governor will join them in proclaiming the week of April 20-25 as a time to reflect upon the consequences of overpopulation.
BARRY GOLDSTEIN
Long Beach
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