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FEATURED STORIES

Power to the People
Taking a Major Risk
Buying Influence?
"Big Look? in Oregon

COMMENTARY: by NPG President Donald Mann

With so much energy focused on the critical issue of resolving the immigration crisis in America, the issue of population migration does not get the attention it needs.

As I sit down to write this commentary, the reports of the ravages of Hurricane Ike are still coming in and pictures on the news show a swath of devastation that covers untold miles of Texas' (and parts of Louisiana's) coasts. Thankfully, Ike did not bring with it the thousands of deaths we experienced with Hurricane Katrina. However, as these giant, destructive storms continue to take their toll - and cause tens of billions of dollars in damages - few if any of our leaders are ready to face up to the fact that it is time to halt the massive migration to our nation's coasts.

A 2003 population statistic showed that 153 million Americans live in coastal counties. That was more than 50% of the nation's population at the time and it's a huge number that continues to grow very, very fast.

Of course, many of our nation's major cities were created along the coasts when the U.S. was first settled. As these cities expanded so too did development along our shores as cities were connected by roads and rail. However, through the years - especially in recent decades - many coastal cities have grown from small tourist destinations to large metropolitan areas that are proving more and more attractive for year-round living.

The acceleration of development in many areas of our coasts not only puts more people in harm's way when it comes to hurricanes but it also does irreversible damage to the fragile ecosystems that are such an important part of these areas. Hundreds of species now living in ever-diminishing wetlands are threatened by the desire of millions of Americans to live closer to the beaches or build second homes on nearby shores. Every beach house that goes up in a coastal community brings with it new roads, office buildings, shopping malls, parking lots, increased sewage and runoff, etc. Continued development will definitely destabilize these ecosystems and have huge consequences in the coming years. The question should be asked is this: Can we continue to destroy more of our nation's valuable natural resources to satisfy population growth and simply ignore the disastrous consequences for future generations?

For centuries, Americans have taken for granted that all of us have the freedom to choose where we want to live in this great land. Saying "no" to those who want to live in a certain area of the country seems downright un-American.

However, elected leaders make zoning decisions and issue building permits every day that shape the quality of life for the people in their communities. Remember, our coastlines are not the only areas trying to absorb too many people. Overdevelopment in the arid West is fast depleting the areas limited water supply and puts millions of people at risk in the event of a long-term drought. Population growth in dozens of other areas is establishing the need for massive, costly infrastructure and creating other problems in the future.

If we do nothing today to halt and reverse current population trends, America may have to absorb over 130 million more people in the next 42 years. That means we'll be greatly compounding today's problems of far too many people.

Is there a way to get control of population migration? The answer is yes - but only if our nation's leaders act soon to reverse our ruinous population patterns. That won't be easy - but it can be done. If we are going to save many of our nation's most valuable resources including the beauty of our coasts - for our children and grandchildren - it's time to start making clear-cut decisions as to how many people can live in certain areas. That is why NPG's major goal in the next few years is to get Congress to create a U.S. Commission on Population Growth that will help steer our nation toward a more sustainable population and a livable future. Such a policy would address many aspects of the population debate; where people live will certainly be one of the many components.

Right now, we can't control where the hurricanes go. But we can reduce our population, along the coasts and elsewhere, before our huge population completely overwhelms our nation. It's time for action.


POWER TO THE PEOPLE

In the politically turbulent 1960's and early 1970's, the slogan "power to the people" was a call for political rebellion. Today, it's a plea to keep our nation's vast appetite for electricity well fed.

A recent article in The Washington Times by Mark Wilson highlighted the fifth anniversary of the worst blackout in North America that occurred in 2003 and cost as much as $10 billion to the U.S. economy. It noted that many individuals, especially in the energy field, look at that event as a prelude of things to come if we fail to take the steps necessary to keep pace with demand when it comes to our nation's electrical needs.

Simply put, our nation's fast-growing population is creating a huge demand for electricity that could soon exceed supply. The article quotes Michael Morris, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Electric Power Co., Inc., which runs the nation's largest electricity transmission system, as stating: "I'm really not a Chicken Little player, but I worry that no one seems to be focusing in on this."

The problem stems from the fact that while many political leaders talk a good game about new energy sources, many also stand in the way of building new nuclear facilities and coal-fired power plants - even those which will burn "clean coal." Other infrastructure problems, such as putting new transmission lines in place, are also a giant headache for the power companies. The Times article notes that such projects are taking an inordinate amount of time to clear local opposition, citing a transmission line in West Virginia and Virginia that was announced in 1990 and finally finished last year.

A chart accompanying the article notes that "electricity sales are expected to increase 29 percent by 2030." At that time, if nothing is done to turn around America's surging population growth, there will be an additional 60 to 75 million people vying for our nation's limited power. Perhaps Americans should get ready for more blackouts. Click on the link above for the full story.

TAKING A MAJOR RISK

Science, the magazine of AAAS, devoted their February issue to "Cities" and an interesting article by Jennifer Couzin titled "Living in the Danger Zone" is worth noting here in the middle of the hurricane season.

The article begins by focusing on residents of New Orleans who are determined to rebuild their homes. This was in opposition to urban planners who recommended turning some flood-prone areas into open spaces and not rebuilding in those regions. The core message was that people are culturally, socially, emotionally and psychologically tied to where they live and trying to get them not to reestablish their lives in the same spot is a major challenge.

Couzin noted that "Residents of New Orleans are not alone in their dogged determination to place themselves in harm's way. According to a report last August from the General Accounting Office (GAO), nearly half the U.S. population lived in counties that had declared flood disasters at least six times between 1980 and 2005, and 29% made their homes in a county hit by at least one hurricane in that time."

Other statistics in the GAO study show that "Large swaths of the western United States are at risk of wildfires, such as those that emptied parts of southern California last October." It also noted, "People are willing to gamble by building homes on earthquake fault lines, in landslide zones, and along tornado alleys."

In researching the article, Couzin also found that "One region where it has proved especially tough to modify development is along the Florida coast." Urban planner Steven French of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta is quoted as stating: "The attractions and the amenity of being on the water are very, very strong and overcome a lot of the rational understanding of the risk." However, while Floridians may want to cling forever to their beach homes, many of the nation's largest insurers are backing out from policies that insure homes in the most vulnerable areas.

The GAO report noted dryly, "Population trends are increasing the nation's vulnerability to these risks." As noted in Don Mann's commentary above, we must find a way to stop these "danger zones" from becoming more and more populated.


BUYING INFLUENCE?

The Wall Street Journal carried a story in late June that bears noting as we get closer to Election Day. It seems that State Farm Insurance has come up with a new way to gain influence in the fast-growing Hispanic market by taking it upon themselves to help increase the clout of Hispanic voters this November.

The article referenced the fact that State Farm "will be the lead sponsor of the largest national campaign thus far to encourage Latinos to become U.S. citizens and register to vote. That will make it the first mainstream U.S. corporation to put money behind the massive mobilization effort ahead of the November presidential vote."

The article notes that State Farm will work in concert with the National Association of Latino Elected Officials and "inject $1 million in the 'Ya Es Hora' (It's About Time) campaign."

Besides the powerful push in the media, the company will also use their 4,000 State Farm agents who serve the Hispanic community throughout the country to provide U.S. citizenship applications and voter registration materials to their clients. The WSJ notes that "More than eight million green-card holders, or legal permanent residents, currently are eligible to become U.S. citizens, and the majority are immigrants from Latin America."

Noted in the newspaper article is the fact that State Farm's efforts are "nonpartisan" but have aroused some controversy because the bulk of Hispanic voters tend to cast their ballots for Democrats. Political experts are already telling us that the Hispanic vote will be a major factor in deciding whether or not such states as Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico will end up in the Republican column on Election Day. A loss of just one of these key states to the Democrats on November 4th could tip the final vote in the Electoral College that will decide who wins the White House. Click on the link above for the full story.


"BIG LOOK" in OREGON

How to accommodate future population growth is getting a "Big Look" in Oregon this month as the state's land-use task force takes to the road for statewide hearings.

According to a recent article by Bob McEwen in The Oregonian, the task force is seeking input as to what recommendations it will make to the Oregon state legislature next year. Chief among the topics for discussion at town-hall meetings are issues regarding "how to preserve farms, forests and significant natural areas, and how the state can accommodate significant population growth while maintaining livable communities."

The article provides a valuable insight into the vast array of issues that come into play when making long-term decisions on land use. Oregon last tackled this important issue more than 30 years ago and many factors have changed.

McEwen points out that "The task force also identified issues associated with maintaining livable communities while absorbing the 1.7 million more people who are expected to arrive in Oregon by 2040. Among them: Increasing density, expanding urban growth boundaries and providing infrastructure - streets, water lines and sewer pipes - that make development possible."

Here at NPG we've always recognized that Oregonians have always had a richer appreciation for their land and have fought encroaching development - especially from overpopulated California to its south. The fact that Oregon will likely add 1.7 million new resident by 2040 - an increase of roughly 50% over it's 2000 population of 3.4 million - should concern all Oregonians. We urge our NPG members in the state to attend town hall meetings on the land use issue and interject another major topic for discussion - stopping the massive growth that threatens its future and having the state legislature take the lead in turning the state work to put up more roadblocks to growth rather than trying to find every way possible to accommodate it. Click on the link above for the full story.

POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION NEWS NOTES

POPULATION AND FOOD

A recent editorial in the Providence Journal (RI) focused on today's world food crisis with this commentary: "Population growth receives far too little attention in the current food crisis. Pundits blame tyrannical governments' mismanagement and corruption (e.g., Zimbabwe); geopolitical instability; the madness of shifting land from growing plants for food to growing plants for fuel production; and the growing appetite for meat in such rising powers as China. More meat production requires more farmland to be taken from growing crops for direct human consumption and devoted to far less food-efficient use as pasturage for grazing animals and for crops to supply feedlots."


ILLEGALS DRAIN SOCIAL SECURITY

Congressman Lamar Smith of Texas, the ranking Republican member of the House Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives recently penned an Op-Ed for The Washington Times which revealed the following about illegal immigrants and the solvency of the Social Security system:

"Amnesty advocates often claim that illegal immigrants should be granted amnesty because they will 'save' Social Security"..... Recently released statistics prove this is plainly false.

For the first time, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has released the hard data necessary for us to understand the impact of low-skilled immigrants, illegal or legal, on our retirements. And the numbers are not pretty.....

.....Under the current system, illegal immigrants who provided their employers with fraudulent documents and work on the books contribute to Social Security, and they are not eligible for retirement benefits. But what happens if they receive amnesty? Under the Social Security Protect Act, an illegal immigrant who is legalized can qualify for retirement benefits based on their prior work - their illegal prior work. This means, if granted amnesty, the illegal immigrant population will place a tremendous strain on Social Security.....

.....What if 5 million illegal-immigrant couples who both work with very low earnings receive amnesty? The total negative impact on Social Security would be over $500 billion. This is a serious financial blow to our retirements and those of our children.....

.....Clearly, the increased migration of low-skilled immigrants is not a formula for the success of Social Security. It is a formula for the failure of America's retirement system."

NPG encourages all members and supporters to contact their Congressman (Congressional Switchboard: 202-225-3121) -- in hopes that more of our nations leaders will adopt a similar way of thinking.


MORE LEGAL IMMIGRANTS?

Congress is always under pressure from lobbyists representing large corporations to increase short- and long-term visas for foreign workers, many of whom end up becoming legal immigrants. If Congresswomen Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), the chair of the House Immigration Subcommitte, has her way, the lobbyists may score a home run before Congress adjourns in the next few weeks.

At issue is a bill, H.R. 5882, that is designed to give out hundreds of thousands of new green cards for foreign workers next year - thus giving American jobs to immigrants in our already threatened economy. This is a bad bill and should not pass. Call your Congressman today (202-225-3121) and make your views known.


CAPS GOES ON TV TO TAKE ON THE ISSUE OF SANCTUARY CITIES

Here at NPG we applaud the recent action of Californians for Population Stabilization in launching a TV campaign that calls on Californians to vehemently speak out against Sanctuary City policies that have been adopted in many localities throughout the state.

In Sanctuary Cities, many immigrants feel free to flout the law. Police officers are prohibited from asking immigration status, often even after a suspect has been arrested. The result is that illegal aliens who are convicted criminals are too often put back on the streets instead of being deported. A recent statewide crime wave involving illegals, including a triple murder in San Francisco, has heightened tensions on the issue.

Diana Hull, President of CAPS, commented on Sanctuary Cities by stating, "The policy defies common sense. In essence, the public officials elected to protect us are pushing policies that facilitate crime and acts of violence against the very people they are sworn to protect. They need to wake up and change this unlawful policy immediately."

The new TV ads ask Californians whether the Sanctuary City policy "has taken our compassion too far?" Viewers are asked to register their opinions at www.capsweb.org.

Here at NPG we also condemn the Sanctuary City policies in California and other major cities throughout the nation. Too many politicians are using broad-based policies that undermine our nation's laws to curry favor with the immigrant communities. It has to stop! We are also very much in favor of legislation pushed by a number of members of Congress that would deny federal aid in any form to cities that adopt Sanctuary City policies.


BRITAIN'S POPULATION FUTURE

The Optimum Population Trust, a British group akin to NPG, put out a press release in late August that cited the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showing UK's annual population growth at approximately 388,000 in 2007. The figures are bolstered by record net migration and the rising number of births.

Compared to the United States, this increase might not sound significant, but as David Nicholson-Lord, OPT's Policy Director, stated: "In an era of growing food and energy shortages, population growth of this magnitude is simply storing up trouble for the future. The UK is already one of the world's most overpopulated countries, relying on imports for more than two-thirds of its total needs. The more overpopulated we are, the greater our environmental and food insecurity and the more vulnerable we shall be to price rises and disruptions in supply."


NPG NOTES

A MEMBER'S GREAT IDEA!

Member feedback is essential to any organization like NPG and we gladly welcome it. Just last week we received an anonymous note via our website, www.npg.org, that stated: "You need to encourage students who write for their high school or college newspapers to write articles about overpopulation and its effects on oil resources, global warming, etc. Please consider developing some sort of public relations campaign which will get them to write about the above subjects." It went on to expound on the concept.

Our reaction: What a great idea! Today's students have a giant stake in getting our nation to create responsible population policies that will stave off the potential population-related crises that will very much affect their future quality of life.

To date, we have not been in regular contact with student newspapers but that is about to change. In addition to soliciting input for original articles and essays that we might put on our website and include in our quarterly newsletter, Population Perspectives, and our online NPG Journal, high school and college newspapers will also give us a new avenue to solicit participation in our annual Population Scholarship Essay Contest and potentially a new Student Poster Contest if we do one next year.

If you have an idea as to how NPG can better get our message out and fulfill our mission, please get in touch with us. Thanks!


A THANKFUL STUDENT

One of the greatest rewards of reaching out to the nation's students and getting them to focus on population issues via our NPG Scholarship and Student Poster Contests is the heartfelt thank you notes we receive from those whose lives we have touched.

A recent note from Michelle Ziperstein, who won a $500 Honorable Mention Scholarship, states: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for awarding me with one of your generous scholarships. Your faith in me is greatly appreciated, and I hope to make each of you proud with my educational accomplishments. With your help, I will be able to pay for the books and lab fees that are required for my fall course load this year. Thank you again for considering my writing for the 2008 Population Essay Scholarships."


"QUOTABLE"

"With a fanfare of news conferences and Spanish-language television and newspaper ads, U.S. authorities last week started giving 457,000 illegal immigrants a chance to turn themselves in without the usual threat of arrest and deportation. Three accepted."

The Washington Post article 8/10/08
Reporting on total failure of ICE
self-deportation program

"When the Census Bureau released its new population projections last month, most of the media focused on the country's changing racial composition. But this was almost certainly not the most important finding. The projections show that the U.S. population will grow by 135 million in just 42 years - a 44 percent increase. Such growth would have profound implications for our environment and quality of life. Most of the increase would be a direct result of one federal policy - immigration. If we reduced the level of immigration, the projections would be much lower. The question we have to ask ourselves is: Do we want to be a much more densely settled country?"

Steven A. Camarota
Director of Research
Center for Immigration Studies

"Crises are the only times when we are capable of making difficult decisions."

Phil Sharp
Resources for the Future

"They could do one of these raids everyday for the next six years and still not deter people from doing it [hiring illegals]"

Charles Kuck, President
American Immigration Lawyers Association
(Following a federal government
immigration raid on a Mississippi
manufacturing plant.)

"Immigration almost killed the candidacy of John McCain and most politicians look forward to dealing with the issue about as much as they do a trip to the dentist."

Claude R. Marx in reviewing
Mark Kirkorian's new book, The New
Case Against Immigration: Both Legal
and Illegal.


"We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ..... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt - 1919

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WHY THE NPG JOURNAL?

The NPG Journal (offered free to all recipients) exists to give more widespread distribution to timely news stories and articles related to population, immigration, environmental and political issues that currently affect our daily life - or have the potential to seriously impact our future.

We realize not all news stories covering population issues will reflect NPG policies and goals. One of our main purposes in creating the NPG Journal is to expose these items to a wider audience, and to draw attention to the fact that so many articles speak to immigration and population issues but often fail to address the central cause of many problems - TOO MANY PEOPLE.

Ultimately, NPG would like to see writers at all levels make the obvious (to us, at least) connection between environmental and resource problems and the growing number of people in both the United States and the world. Unfortunately, most do not. To that end, we comment as necessary to help our readers see those links in hopes they will continue to speak out on what we deem to be the most pressing issue of our time - population size and growth.

NPG President Donald Mann offers his personal insight and commentary on individual stories, especially those that challenge, confirm and/or complement our NPG Research and Forum Papers. The goal of the NPG Journal is to greatly expand NPG's educational mission. NPG's activities continue to emphasize the need for Americans to speak up on population issues and keep our nation - especially our elected leaders on the national, state and local level - focused on taking action to help resolve today's immigration crisis and work to halt, and eventually reverse America's out-of-control population growth. Call your Senators and Representative today to express your desire to see Congress solve our immigration-driven population crisis.

We welcome your feedback to articles posted on the NPG Journal and urge you to forward to us the e-mail addresses of friends you think would like to receive a complimentary copy of the NPG Journal. Contact us at www.npg.org.

ABOUT NPG:

Negative Population Growth, Inc. (NPG) is a national nonprofit membership organization with over 30,000 members nationwide. It was founded in 1972 to educate the American public and political leaders about the devastating effects of overpopulation on our environment, resources, and standard of living. We believe that our nation is already vastly overpopulated in terms of the long-range carrying capacity of its resources and environment.

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