Saturday, March 1, 2008
Pro Life - but…
To make it very clear: I am pro life! But there is a BUT. I have written about this topic many times in the past and got a lot of scoldings. The topic has been also always discussed mixed and conflicting in the Philippines
Allow me to recall what the former directress of the United Nations Population Fund Dr. Nafis Sadik from Pakistan has said already several years ago: “The problems are not the (ethical or religious!) pros and contras, the problems are the attempt of authoritarian states on problems by showing no consideration for parents and their decisions; freedom of choice for women’s self-determination!”
The global population growth is a terrible drain on the demand on the environment and its resources.
In 1921, India in today’s borders counted 251 million inhabitants with enough space, water and food even for tigers and elephants. Some 80 years later the same region counted almost one billion (!) inhabitants. It became “damned narrow for each and every one”, as a local Indian news reporter said.
In 1948 Pakistan started its independence with 32,5 million people but must feed 140 million (!) hungry mouths nowadays. This is what we describe as population explosion. I know, i am not telling something new, but it should be an important reminder. If you live in the Philippines, please open your eyes… . Must I say more?
In many cities of the world, people are stuck in agonizing and painful jostling - a grievous daily life in mega cities like Mexico City, Bombay, Jakarta or Manila (sorry MIGS!). The world’s inhabitants’ quadrupled from 1,6 up to 6,1 billion (!) in 2005 - this is an universal example. A more gentle and mild dissipation is not yet in sight.
Population growth becomes almost and exclusively a Third World problem. The population prognosis for the next 50 years explains to 99 percent fast and meteoric human breeding, the new “Babylons” have to face new problems with upward tendencies.
The year 1975 showed us five so called mega cities with prevailing more then 10 million inhabitants each. In 2000 we found already 19 worldwide agglomerations. The polluted air in Mexico City, Bombay or (again sorry to say) also Manila is “breath-taking” dirty. Noise pollution, stench and stink and poverty’s ugliness are becoming unpleasant, hideous and rape our five senses, while “heavenly” skyscrapers try to let us forget the slums, incorporated in negligent garbage and environment contamination. Every time staying in Manila, I feel sad and helpless.
Drinking water shortage and a seldom working water supply are sure and every day experience. Costal cities like Bangkok or Jakarta observe already salt-water penetrations into empty drinking water pipelines.
“North and South” (or if you like “East and West”0 consume the creative Genesis cake from both sides, while the Poor nibble the fundament of their own existence. And, one day in future our globe will remain as sterile and indefinable moon countryside. We won’t get over it so easily! Are we really so much out of touch??? Where have we been?
Yes, I am very much pro life, but most countries treat the topic population half-heartedly. A birth control policy has been avoided while the global crisis in the long term looms. Most of the so-called “poor countries” are not really poor, but the elites in their midst allow an almost amazing wastefulness of resources because of luxurious consumption, armament, administrative inefficiency and incapacity and inability of leadership.
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# 1 Chas said:
Hi Klaus,We are of the same thinking,i agree with u 100%.Over population is a major problem and breeds poverty.A delicate subject,but if u look at many countries where the catholic religion is dominant,there is mass poverty.They appear to have a vested interest in keeping people poor,on the other side look at the enormous wealth of the Vatican,are we still living in the dark ages.If i look back at my own countries history( UK) 150yrs ago,the wealthy were a very small minority,most people lived in poverty,bad housing,open sewers,etc.Families with 8 or 9 children were common as child mortality rates were high.Families relied on having children to help with the family chores and to help the parents in there old age.The prospect of bettering ones lifestyle were slim unless u you knew the right people,it was basic survival for most.Does this sound familiar,yes, like Phils.Changes happened over the following generations.Birth control,smaller families,allowing parents to feed their children better and pay for a better standard of education.Better housing,better healthcare for all,better job opportunities,equal job opportunities.Contribution based pension(not having to rely on children to keep you in old age) etc etc.The average British family today has 2 children enabling most parents to be able to afford College or University training for them.Most of the population now have a decent standard of living,it can be done,it also takes time.Good Government is essential. I am ex Royal Navy,i was based in Singapore in the early 1970’s it stunk,it was 3rd world,i remember the culture shock,heavily pregnant women working on building sites,some giving birth at the side of the building site,the grandma would collect the baby,after a couple of hours rest the mother would be working again,a real eye opener for a young nieve foreigner.Look what they achieved in 20+ years,similar could be said of Malaysia.I hope you found this of interest.
# 2 Chas said:
Hi Klaus,As i mentioned in Bobs blog the other day.I recently read somewhere that the population in Phils is set to double over the next 50yrs if births are not controlled.Many of the population cannot find jobs now,God help them in 50yrs time.
# 3 Klaus said:
Hi Chas, thanks a lot for stopping by and thank you very much indeed for your very interesting comment. It’s completing my write up very well.
# 4 rick b said:
enjoyed the post Klaus
# 5 Klaus said:
Hi Rick, thanks for dropping by and enjoying my post.