Why America cannot add 138 million more people by 2050

By Frosty Wooldridge

Part 1: The meaning of sustainability

While Americans of every race, creed and color go about their daily activities, our U.S. Congress imports 100,000 new people into this country every 30 days.  If allowed to continue, their numbers will add up to more than 100 million more people, net gain, within the next 24 years and 138 million by 2050—a scant 37 years from now.

For over 20 years, I have worked with and supported the brilliant work of Dr. Albert Bartlett at the University of Colorado.  www.albartlett.org  In that time, Dr. Bartlett has presented his program on sustainability to hundreds of thousands of students and other college professors.  He shows audiences scientifically why humans cannot keep growing exponentially on a finite planet.

But none of America’s leaders “gets it” or understand our accelerating dilemma.  Therefore, I am going to present Dr. Bartlett’s work piece meal in order to educate Americans to the ramifications of adding the projected 138 million more people on our way to doubling to 625 million within this century. 

“Unlimited population growth cannot be sustained; you cannot sustain growth in the rates of consumption of resources. No species can overrun the carrying capacity of a finite land mass. This Law cannot be repealed and is not negotiable.”Dr. Albert Bartlett, www.albartlett.org, University of Colorado, USA.

In this series, we will talk about “ecological footprint” ; “carbon footprint” ; “water footprint” ; “energy footprint” and many other calamities caused by human exponential growth.

Dr. Bartlett talks about sustainability:

            First, we must accept the idea that “sustainable” has to mean “for an unspecified long period of time.”

            Second, we must acknowledge the mathematical fact that steady growth (a fixed percent per year) gives very large numbers in modest periods of time.  For example, a population of 10,000 people growing at 7 % per year will become a population of 10,000,000 people in just 100  years. (Bartlett 1978)

            From these two statements we can see that the term “sustainable growth” implies “increasing endlessly.” This means that the growing quantity will tend to become infinite in size.  The finite size of resources, ecosystems, the environment, and the Earth, lead to the most fundamental truth of sustainability:

                        When applied to material things, the term “sustainable growth” is an oxymoron.

(It is possible to have sustainable growth of non-material things such as inflation.)

            Daly has pointed out that “sustainable development” may be possible if materials are recycled to the maximum degree possible, and if one does not have growth in the annual material throughput of the economy.  (Daly 1994)

THE USE OF THE TERM “SUSTAINABLE”

           A sincere concern for the future is certainly the factor that motivates many who make frequent use of the word, “sustainable.”  But there are cases where one suspects that the word is used carelessly, perhaps as though the belief exists that the frequent use of the adjective “sustainable” is sufficient to create a sustainable society.   

           “Sustainability” has become big-time.  University centers and professional organizations have sprung up using the word “sustainable” as a prominent part of their names.  In some cases, these big-time operations may be illustrative of what might be called the “Willie Sutton School of research management.” (Sutton)

           For many years, studies had been conducted on ways of improving the efficiency with which energy is used in our society.  These studies have been given new luster by referring to them now as studies in the “sustainable use of energy.” 

           The term “sustainable growth” is used by our political leaders even though the term is clearly an oxymoron.  In a recent report from the Environmental Protection Agency we read that:

President Clinton and Vice President Gore wrote in Putting People First,

“We will renew America’s commitment to leave our children a better nation – - a nation whose air, water, and land are unspoiled, whose natural beauty is undimmed, and whose leadership for sustainable global growth is unsurpassed.” (EPA 1993)

           We even find a scientist writing about “sustainable growth:” 

…the discussions have centered around the factors that will determine [a ] level of sustainable growth of agricultural production.  (Abelson 1990)

            And so we have a spectrum of uses of the term “sustainable.”  At one end of the spectrum, the term is used with precision by people who are introducing new concepts as a consequence of thinking profoundly about the long-term future of the human race.  In the middle of the spectrum, the term is simply added as a modifier to the names and titles of very beneficial studies in efficiency, etc. that have been in progress for years.  Near the other end of the spectrum, the term is used as a placebo.  In some cases the term may be used mindlessly (or possibly with the intent to deceive) in order to try to shed a favorable light on continuing activities that may or may not be capable of continuing for long periods of time.  At the very far end of the spectrum, we see the term used in a way that is oxymoronic.

            Let us examine the use of the term “sustainable” in some major environmental reports. 

You may reach Dr. Bartlett at www.albartlett.org

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In a five minute astoundingly simple yet brilliant video, “Immigration, Poverty, and Gum Balls”, Roy Beck, director of www.numbersusa.ORG, graphically illustrates the impact of overpopulation.  Take five minutes to see for yourself:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPjzfGChGlE&feature=player_embedded

“Immigration by the numbers—off the chart” by Roy Beck

This 10 minute demonstration shows Americans the results of unending mass immigration on the quality of life and sustainability for future generations: in a few words, “Mind boggling!”  www.NumbersUSA.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muw22wTePqQ

This is the best website to start:  www.numbersusa.org ; watch Roy Beck’s “Immigration by the Numbers” at 14 minutes. Bi-partisan and very effective. Become a faxer of pre-written letters to your reps to make positive  change.

Visit www.TheSocialContract.com for the best information on what we face as a civilization as to overpopulation, energy, immigration and much more.

Canada www.immigrationwatchcanada.org ; in Australia www.population.org.au and[email protected]; in Great Britain www.populationmatters.org ; and dozens of other sites accessed at www.frostywooldridge.com.   In Florida, www.flimen.org .

Must see DVD: “Blind Spot” www.snagfilms.com/films/title/blind_spot/ , This movie illustrates America’s future without oil, water and other resources to keep this civilization functioning. It’s a brilliant educational movie! www.blindspotdoc.com

Must see: Rapid Population Decline, seven minute video by Dr. Jack Alpert-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTWduFB_RX0

Dave Gardner, President, Citizen-Powered Media ; Producing the Documentary, GROWTH BUSTERS; presents Hooked on Growth: Our Misguided Quest for Prosperity, Join the cause at www.growthbusters.org ;760 Wycliffe Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 USA; +1 719-576-5565

Trailer to his latest movie on overpopulation:  http://youtu.be/KLWxWOcUrVc

Check out this link with Wooldridge on bicycle and Lester Brown and panel discussion:

www.upnorthmedia.org/watchupnorthtv.asp?SDBFid=1631

Tomorrow’s Americaproject on www.youtube.com/contemporarylearning.

Producer: GEORGE A. COLBURNwww.tomorrowsamerica.com

DC: 202-258-4887

Email: [email protected]

Link to www.tomorrowsamerica.com for more discussions on America’s predicament.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

www.starbrightmediacorp.com

www.tomorrowsamerica.com

Alexandra Paul talks about human overpopulation and saving our world by all women having 1 child only:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNxctzyNxC0

One planet, one child:

http://www.worldpopulationbalance.org/content/one-planet-onechild

This film will rock you:   MOTHER: CARING FOR 7 BILLION

Dr. Jack Alpert , www.skil.org

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Frosty Wooldridge has bicycled across six continents – from the Arctic to the South Pole – as well as eight times across the USA, coast to coast and border to border. In 2005, he bicycled from the Arctic Circle, Norway to Athens, Greece. In 2012, he bicycled coast to coast across America.  He presents “The Coming Population Crisis facing America: what to do about it.”  www.frostywooldridge.com .  His latest book is: How to Live a Life of Adventure: The Art of Exploring the World by Frosty Wooldridge, copies at 1 888 280 7715/ Motivational program: How to Live a Life of Adventure: The Art of Exploring the World by Frosty Wooldridge, click:  www.HowToLiveALifeOfAdventure.com

Live well, laugh often, celebrate daily and enjoy the ride,

Frosty Wooldridge

Golden, Colorado

www.HowToLiveALifeOfAdventure.com

6 Continent world bicycle traveler

Order these unique cards today: http://www.howtolivealifeofadventure.com/