Hartland McDonald – $1,000 Winner of the 2013 NPG Essay Scholarship Contest

• NPG
• August 1, 2013
• Scholarship 2013
• 0 Comments

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By Hartland McDonald

Hardly a day goes by when a report on the world’s ruinous finances isn’t mentioned.  Scary phrases like “fiscal cliff” and threats of economic Armageddon are common.  I find it ironic that so much emphasis is being put on people living within their financial budget, but no thought is ever given to living within the earth’s budget.  Our global checkbook is running low on funds… and our family gets larger every day.  We’re deluding ourselves into thinking that the earth’s bountiful resources are endless and no care needs to be given to how unlimited population growth will defeat all our efforts in sustainability and conservation.  The first step in reducing over-usage is reducing the amount of consumption.  What’s the point in building cars that use less gasoline when the amount of people driving goes up every year?  The time is NOW to combine the forces of environmental protection, sustainability, resource renewal, and negative population growth to protect our fragile planet for future generations.

Every day the proof that our population is impacting the balance of our earth’s climate becomes clearer.  We may find that in a few short decades, our abundant crops and plentiful water will be blessings of the past.  I’ve watched my own South Florida community become congested, polluted and physically overtaxed.   The rush of people coming here to enjoy the mild weather and beautiful natural scenery was endlessly encouraged for economic reasons.  Very little regard was given to the impact that unlimited growth would have on the Florida Everglades and the delicate Biscayne Aquifer that we get our water from.  Just in my short lifetime, I have seen the heavy curtailment of water usage and the destruction of the natural environment – all a result of the area’s overpopulation.  Lake Okeechobee, one of our main water resources, has been ten to twelve feet below its normal level for years.  The last few hurricane seasons brought weeks of power loss, boil water orders, and limited supplies.  Rushing to a local grocery store only to find empty shelves – or waiting in a mile long gas line – is a frightening experience.  When you live in an area where too many people clamor for finite resources  – you begin to see how the future of an overpopulated world would be.

A concentrated effort must be made to educate people and there is truly no time to lose.  I propose that a globally respected institution like the United Nations make this a special priority, uniquely important to us all.  A worldwide educational effort should be implemented and a special task force established to share knowledge and new ideas.  We’re at a critical time – but a unique one as well.  We have the power and creativity to change the way treat our planet – and the “connectivity” among people worldwide to make it happen.  Everyone must understand that no matter where we call home – we all have only one home.  Let us all endeavor to lessen our impact on the planet where we live.  Our peace and prosperity depend on it.