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Facing
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A GLOBAL PLAN TO REDUCE POPULATION GROWTH
A GLOBAL PLAN TO
REDUCE POPULATION GROWTH
Here we have considered
world problems including hunger, poverty, underdevelopment, and
environmental issues—that are exacerbated by an increase in population.
Population stabilization is critically important if we are to
effectively tackle these serious problems. All countries must develop
policies to bring about an immediate reduction in the rate of population
growth. But what kinds of policies will help achieve population
stabilization?
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Developing countries should
increase the amount of money that they allot to family planning
services, particularly the
dissemination of information on birth control. Governments should
take steps to increase the average level of education, especially of
women, and women must be given more employment opportunities.
Religious and traditional leaders should be involved in discussions
before new population policies are implemented. (Muslim
leaders in Indonesia, who initially opposed efforts to control
population growth, became supporters of family planning when they
were consulted by the government on the matter.) Likewise, national
population policies will not work without local community
involvement and acceptance, and community leaders can provide
feedback on the effectiveness of programs. |
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Developed
countries can help developing nations achieve a decrease in population
growth by providing financial support for the United Nations Fund for
Population Activities. Developed countries can also support research
and development of new birth control methods. On a personal level,
individuals in developed countries can help developing nations by
sponsoring children.
Most important, developed nations need
to face their own population problems, particularly consumption
overpopulation. Policies to support recycling of resources, eliminate
needless production, and discourage over consumption and the throwaway
mentality should be formulated. These policies will also show developing
nations that developed countries are serious about facing the issues of
overpopulation at home as well as abroad.
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