CW7-0323

From Environmental Technology

SIERRA CLUB- GLOBAL POPULATION AND ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM

a) One example of family planning in the US is the Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act (EPICC). This act basically makes safe contraceptives available to those women who have trouble affording them. Under this act, contraceptives are covered by insurances. This appproach at family planning seems very affective. It allows the coverage for contraception to those who want and need it. Another example of family planning in the US is the Abstenence Only program. Under this program, sex education is used to better inform students about the dangers of having multiple sex partners. By informing the students, it is hoped that they will be able to make better decisions.

When looking at family planning around the world, there are many other options. One is by promising a reduced child mortality rate. The theory here is that when parents believe that their children will survive, they naturally are opt to better space their children's births. This, in turn, slows population growth. Another example of family planning around the world is the United Nations Population Fund. This approach provides family planning, education, and other economic oportunities. I think that providing women with other opportunities than just having children, they will be more likely to space their births and maybe even have less children.

b)The Sierra Club believes, in terms of migration, that most people wouldnt leave their homes if a reasonable alternative were offered. I think this is true. Most immigrants to the US didnt want to leave their families and friends, they were forced to in order to survive. The website states that the world population is increasing at over 70 million people a year. Immigration barely helps the cramping problem. If family planning is put into affect, then maybe there would be less pressure to migrate.

With the global population skyrocketing, we are using up natural resources faster than ever. Not only that, but our waste is increasing as well. This creates an almost toxic environment for some people. According to the Sierra Club, one average American uses as much energy as 395 Ethiopians. Wow! This rate of over consumption will eventually create scarcity in the products we consume. Water, for example, is becoming a luxury in the 31 countries in which it is a scarcity.