OVERPOPULATION CANNOT ADVANCE INTERNATIONAL RECONCILIATION AND COOPERATION
IN VIEW OF ANY CLIMATIC CHANGES
By the beginning
of 2008 the present web page inaugurates an internet briefing discussion among
the members and friends of the Anthropological Association of Greece, with
regard to the imperative question that concerns all of us: the human
overpopulation on the planet.
The problem is summarized
by the fact that the living space of humans in relation to other living beings
(plants and animals), the limited food sources or production of other goods
for survival, but also the permanently overloaded environment, represent parameters
influencing each other that reached their limits. For example: Haven't the
margins of forest reduction been exhausted for the increase of cultivable
extents and especially of monocultures? The
continuously increasing malnutrition, meaning worse diet, has direct consequences
for the health of us all . Alarming also are the corresponding phenomena of
more and more poverty, water shortage, energy insufficiency and ensuing
clashes, with the
From the beginning
it has to be clarified that the main question does not concern the few populations
and tribes existing in self-restraining situation
of underpopulation (but also under obliteration or genocide), usually not
overloading their environment, i.e. living harmoniously without the «need of wars». This happens because they have accumulated the knowledge
of millennia, essential both for their more secure survival, for the overpopulated
other nations too, where people usually gather in inhumanely small areas and
buildings of critical survival (not anymore living), with specifications of
even an irreversible disappearance of our species.
The human population
of 6.6 billions places in direct danger of a sudden collapse
the world production, economy and ecological balance, with unforeseeable
enormous consequences for all, where none of us is excluded.
During the 60's and 70's, when the danger was quite visible, certain measures
could have been taken more easily, since population augment had not reached
its present explosive dimensions. On the contrary, it was mainly profitability
that was erroneously supported, with the extension of markets and the
substantial
reinforcement of extreme overpopulation. The Soviet threat was finally proved
a myth, after the system in question practically self-abolished, without the
intent for a generalized extension of war. Then, in the end of the 80's, when
there has been the possibility to take untrammeled direct measures, this did
never advance, with just a few exceptions, as p. ex. China that managed somehow
to intercept the phenomenon, when it became clear that the previous approach
was leading to the precipice. In conclusion, the ignorance by some individuals
makes them invest even in their own self-destruction, deluding themselves
that by being economically rich, someone may survive. However, in Pompeii
even Pliny the Elder, the most distinguished scientist of Romans, did not
escape the catastrophe.
Although the previous practice of all the religious leaders
until recently has been against birth control, the present head of the catholic
dogma openly spoke in 2006 regarding the overpopulation problem (see http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=7110).
Obviously the concern of one or two leaders is not enough to induce the international
reconciliation and cooperation, while such a move has to be accompanied by
the heads of other religions, as well as states, universities, organizations
etc.
In any case how
can we face the present situation, which is a trap for all of us? Shouldn't
the mathematically precise calculation of the overpopulation limit by international
teams of scientists and the binding attendance of all governments be a priority?
This time however with transparency, not keeping the earth's inhabitants in the dark. In the
recent past M. Gorbatchef spoke completely overoptimistically about a limit
of 14 billions humans, which for adepts may not exceed
the current levels. Without measures taken, with no prevention
and scientific studies, at a critical moment wouldn't
it follow a dramatic fall of our biosociopolitical level, with the corresponding
repercussions in each aspect of daily life or in the worst case an internecine
slaughter? Undoubtedly the fanatically fatalist perceptions such as: «god will
take care» etc,
intensify dramatically the problem, when from the other side for the crisis
therapy, demographic included, there is acquaintance of the ancient proverb:
Συν Αθηνά και χείρα κίνει - expecting Athena,
move your hand - «god helps those
who help themselves». With overpopulation
it is obvious that neither a primordial communication can be reached, nor
the much-desired international reconciliation may be achieved.
The subject in question
is far more important than any climatic change, which as a phenomenon, has
been frequent during the last millions of years. According to the fossil record
and other data of anthropology, for hundreds thousands of years in the past,
humans survived within tremendously adversary conditions, both in glacial
periods, as well as interglacial - even with rises of temperature considerably
higher the today levels (e.g. hippopotamuses in Europe). Precisely
because our ancestors were ideally adapted to the environment, without overpopulation
problems, but with the traditional innate attitude of mutualism, which unfortunately
nowadays as a practice has fallen into oblivion.
The basic factors
that influence the climate changes are many, as big volcanic eruptions, the
changes of the solar magnetic field and other stellar phenomena, while is not
yet undoubtedly demonstrated and therefore agreed on by scientists the eventual
influence of human activity. Apparently no glacier
or hot period of the past was caused by the use
of stone knives or axes. The pollution of the environment, that follows the increase
in overpopulation, is a different thing to the climate changes, that mainly
remains unpredictable (even for a few days). Simply they occur
and are
expected to bring alternately hot and cold wheather conditions. What
if we are preparing to face overheating only and finally a cooler climate
occurs? However this winter does not seem corresponding to greenhouse effect
and similar climatic models. Unfortunately, in both southern and northern
hemispheres hundreds of dead by frost are reported (only in Peru 300 individuals
and in USA 40 till now). Thus, the noise advancing on the subject is disorientating,
and resulting to the underestimation of the bigger threat for humankind: overpopulation.
It is therefore necessary that the researches conceded for the demographic
policy, should reach at least the same levels with those realized for the
climatic changes.
Certain individuals'
obsession that on the contrary the climate changes will bring first and alone
the humanity in impasse, unfortunately finally leads (deliberately or not)
to more autarchy, racism and everything similar. The corresponding
campaign, into which the media are drifted too, aims to tax mainly the poorer
towards a direction that ignores and does not face the huge deficit of international
mutual understanding and aid. Thus, the necessity of an open dialog emerges
for a redefinition of the priorities.
The tenable argument
that may be deduced from the above is that some people hardly try to maintain
overpopulation
Today, precisely
because of the overpopulation, with no preventive measures decided collectively
in an international level, the margins of a convenient adaptation for the
destructions' avoidance (including annihilation even via extensive «cannibalism»), have reached
a cut-off. This phenomenon moreover is causing the explosive increase of criminality,
children's slavery and prostitution, with consequence the penury of billions
of natives, as well as immigrants from places where they are biosocially somehow
more adapted, to countries where they usually tolerate any survival conditions:
in sum a more and more broaden vicious cycle.
Beyond the possibility
of spherical discussions and broadly accepted decisions, another comfortable
element derives from the accumulation of scientific knowledge and technological
accomplishments, which are mainly owed to people with a substratum of education
for solidarity, as well as social harmonic compatibility. Such parameters
should at last serve more effectively humankind, because if they are not
applied through above-mentioned dialogic social structures, soon will
constitute monuments of a destroyed world.
The present web
page will be enriched according to the follwing two axes:
A) The briefing on the existing
data.
B) The solutions in proposal (birth control -
relative educational politics, societies with self-sufficiency of food, other
necessary goods etc).