Wealth, Hunger and Peace

Nothing in the history of mankind has threatened the world as much as overpopulation. Our peace, economic stability and ultimately our survival depends on our willingness to face this problem. The present report encompasses solutions in all fields since overpopulation touches every aspect of our planet's lives. The know-how to solve these problems is already available. It is up to someone like you to share this knowledge so there is hope for all.

Time: The perception of time is critical for most think we have all the time in the world to come up with solutions and do not realize mass starvation will occur within 40-60 years. The demand for natural resources at the exponential population growth we are experiencing will outstrip the planet's ability to continue providing new generations with any subsistence. According to Cornell University's reports, the maximum population the planet can afford to reach is 6 billion people. After that milestone, before all resources are destroyed beyond repair, the numbers must diminish so that by the year 2100 the maximum population is 2 billion. This can be EASILY accomplished if all NEW families limit the number of children to no more than average 1.5 child per family. This will assure future generations, with some limitations, a reasonable subsistence. If we do not act now, the damage will be irreparable, similar to a nuclear holocaust, according to Prof. A. Leaf of Harvard University and Paul Ehrlich of Stanford among others. Anthropologist Jane Goodall and many top scientists mention that if we continue the present world's exponential population growth, continue burning fossil fuels, overgrazing, polluting and destroying the land at the present pace, the planet will turn into an uninhabitable place. Survival will be questionable and wealth will become meaningless then.

Perception: Perception is the greatest problem. An illiterate poor hungry farmer cannot comprehend that there is a problem of overpopulation, for where he is, there are usually few people. When one sees the vastness of the world, for most it is inconceivable that the resources and space are limited. Many are convinced that mankind is all powerful, for it has conquered the moon, traveled in space, and surely will come up with a solution. In order to change this misperception, first and foremost, mass education an conservation are the answers. We must understand that limiting our families to no more than one or two children per family will solve this daunting problem. The solution is that simple. This is in our and our children's best immediate economic and spiritual interest.

Archeology and History: Easter Island, once a verdant forest teeming with people, is now a barren grassy island studded with giant godlike monoliths staring forlornly at a future that never came. They are a reminder of how lack of respect for the environment and ignorance of family planning caused their civilization became extinct. They exhausted all natural supplies, and ultimately they had to resort to cannibalism. In Phoenician times Cyprus, Malta, Greece, Syria and Lebanon, were covered by lush forests teeming with wildlife. Man burned the forests to cultivate crops, overgrazed the land with goats and sheep, creating the barren lands we know at present. Reforesting is beyond these nation's economic means.

Demographics, Land Resources and Hunger : Some argue that poor distribution of food is the reason there is starvation in many countries. Although it is true to a very limited extent now, it will not be true shortly. In l976 the world had 4 billion people and about 50% of arable land was cultivated. Now we have 5.78 billion people and have little arable land left in reserve, most of it is, at best, marginal, according to Noble Prize winner Norman Borlaug, father of the agricultural "green revolution". Annually 28 million acres of woodland and forests are destroyed. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) conducted a study concerning potentially arable land called Agriculture: toward 2000. It mentions that cultivated land is lost at about the same rate as new land is transformed into cropland. It recommends that to mitigate land destruction, at least 25% of arable land must be protected by programs of water and soil conservation. It concludes that "By the end of the century, shortage of land will have become a critical constraint for about two-thirds of the population of the developing countries." Only 11% of the earth's surface is suitable for agriculture. In 40-years at current birth rates, we will have about 10 billion people, according to United Nations' figures. The United States, one of the countries with minimal population growth showed in the l800 census 5 million people. In 1997 the estimates show about 266 million living in the USA. How can then we expect to feed more than the land can sustain?

Agriculture: The hope that new agricultural methods, including genetic engineering, would eradicate hunger showed great promise at the beginning. Thirty years of experience with these methods now shows these techniques to bring great increases in pests, pathogens, resistant insects , weeds, salinization and soil erosion, ultimately reaching reduction to complete non productivity according to reports of reports of the OECD.

Artificial fertilizers have considerably increased global food production for now, but this has encouraged monocultural farming (cultivating only one type of crop) which is denuding the top soil of organic material, discouraging rotation of crops, and raising the levels of nitrates washed out into the water supply. In 1982, the USA showed that one fifth of its cropland was losing topsoil at accelerated rates due to this factor. This triggered a program to convert 11% of croplands to forest and grassland to halt desertification. Unfortunately, this has caused the popular misperception that the USA pays farmers not to till their land for political, sinister reasons. It is now apparent that often, the old tried methods are the safest and wisest.

Pesticide subsidies discourage old fashioned but time consuming methods that in the long run are more efficient and safe. A report of the International Rice Research Institute mentions that even modest applications of pesticides to rice often cost farmers more than they save. Over time, insects and weeds become more resistant and require higher doses of insecticides according to reports of the World Resources Institute and OECD.

About 2/3 of the world's irrigation is wasted due to misuse. This reflects the fact that farmers are not required to pay for it. As a result water-table levels are dropping, causing water shortages. In Israel, water is treated as a precious commodity. Its agricultural methods will ultimately prove to be the best policy. State subsidies for water, electricity, pesticides and fertilizers encourage land, water and energy abuse, further destroying the soil and inflating fiscal deficits. The dynamics of these mechanisms ultimately cause negative effects.

If a poor farmer cannot subsist without the help of many children to raise crops, governments must give farm products the price value they truly deserve so it is economically possible for him to afford equipment to farm. Better agricultural techniques that teach reforestation, alternating crops and mixed crops must also be provided. Cooperative marketing, based on free enterprise farming, allows farmers to share equipment, buy and sell products as a team. This stimulates farming increases incomes and makes the middle man unnecessary. Public schools and health care facilities must be brought to the country to assure settlements. The alternatives are decreased food supply and migration to the cities, creating subhuman slums like those in Mexico City , Manila or Calcutta.

Energy Resources and Conservation:

1) Fossil Fuels : The University of Colorado reported in 1994 that the USA would run out of oil in 15 years, gas in 30 years and coal in about 200 years at the present and future rate of consumption. This report takes into account the future population growth and that 58% of supplemental oil is imported. According to the US Energy Information Administration 1995 report, all the world's oil reserves will be exhausted within 43 years, gas 66 years and coal within 150-235 years at the expected population increasing demands. These reports take into account fossil fuel already discovered and yet to be discovered. The latter data has been also confirmed by OPEC, OECD and British Petroleum. The question however is not really whether we have or have not oil to burn. The question is what is oil doing to our health and environment, and whether we can afford the price: destruction of our environment and potentially our economic stability. Let us not forget the Arab embargo that froze oil supplies. How can we allow ourselves to be hostage of such situations?

2) Synthetic fuels: Shale oil requires massive amounts of water for their extraction, making them costly. The water pollution which results from processing these fuels and their eventual CO2 production makes this source of energy undesirable. Canada had curtailed extraction to a great extent because of this. Gasohol: There is danger of introducing fuels produced from organic plant material such as gasohol. If we were to turn to gasohol for our energy needs, most forests would have to be cut down in order to make room to cultivate these plants, further destroying the ecology. If we almost fall short of providing enough grain for people to eat, where are we going to find the soil to cultivate enough corn, cane and beets and trees to produce gasohol to fuel all our energy needs? Furthermore these fuels are inefficient since they must be supplemented by other sources of fossil fuel. Besides, gasohol also accumulates CO2.

3) Solar energy: Although a seemingly attractive solution, solar energy is at present five times more costly than conventional fuels ( about $0.5 dollars per kilowatt hour while fossil fuel generated electricity costs about $0.10 per kilowatt hour.) These figures have not improved in the last 10 years, in spite of further research. In order to run their photovoltaic collectors, toxic materials for their operation ( such as cadmium, arsenic and gallium) are required; these remain toxic forever. Their disposal therefore is of great concern. Solar reflectors in great numbers needed to fuel large populations due to the large surface area required to lodge them can disrupt air travel, and if misdirected can cause eye (retinal) burns. Another problem is that large areas of land and sunny regions are required.

4) Hydroelectric power: Harnessing rivers upsets the ecosystem by flooding large tracts of land. This has become painfully apparent in Egypt's Aswan Dam. Studies reported in the journal Science, April l988, show that conservatively, within one hundred years, the dam's effect will cause the sea level to rise about one meter, leaving the delta region submerged within 30 Km off the coast because of the redistribution of silt .

Few countries that have large tidal surges have harnessed hydroelectric power with turbines successfully.

5) Nuclear: Nicholas Wade reports in the August l980 issue of the journal Science that in l980, France paid 13.52 centimes per kilowatt hour for nuclear electricity, compared with 24.79 centimes kWh for coal stations and 36.32 centimes kWh for oil stations. Nuclear power is very costly in its original outlay, and its installation is lengthy (about 3 to 10 years if no political resistance delays it) but in the long run it will be more economical and is a clean fuel. If a nation does not shift to alternate sources of energy, its economy will not subsist. France and Japan are the major atomic energy consumers now. Medium sized modular nuclear plants are being developed by Westinghouse, GE, General Atomic Technology, Combustion Engineering Co., Mitsubishi, etc. These 540-600 Megawatt electric 1,400 Megawatt thermal nuclear reactors have nuclear cores designed so that under no circumstances could a meltdown like Chernobyl ever happen. Their size and core design also ensure they cannot physically contaminate the environment even if accidents take place. The nuclear wastes are later vitrified and contained in shields for safe disposal. The USA has a 300-year supply of Uranium 238 already processed that can be successfully used for nuclear breeder reactors, as is done in France. Breeder reactors are 25% more expensive in their outlay, but their design allows for proliferation of fuel, a factor that in the long run will be attractive as an indefinite source of power.

6) Electric: Nuclear generators can provide electricity for factories, engines and electric motor vehicles ; this will solve most energy and pollution problems. Research and incentives for shifting from fossil fuels to atomic generators must be implemented. Presently, electric cars that can run at 80 miles per hour for 120 miles at a time are available. The acceleration rate is comparable to gas fueled cars, while non polluting and very quiet. GM has a prototype named "Impact." Its handling is better than a Ferrari. It starts from zero to 60 MPH in an instant. The electric cars available in the market produced by various car manufacturers range in cost with average about $25,000 dollars with clean air tax abatements. The US Department of Energy and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimated these to run at an annual electricity cost of about $420 while gas powered cars have an estimated annual cost of $696 with present fossil fuel costs. GM, Nissan, Mercedes etc. have these available now. If the demand grows and nuclear plants produce the electricity, their prices will decrease.

Politics of Nuclear Power: It is our perception the fear of atomic power has been planted by oil companies and politicians with vested interests. Japan, the victim of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, is one of the greatest users of nuclear reactors-because it does not have oil, thus vested interests do not exist there. The dangers of fossil fuels far outweigh the dangers of atomic power, not to mention the threat of the whims of Arab nations to the world's economic stability. The alternatives are such pollution that changing weather patterns, desertification and extinction of plant and animal life. It is our hope that nuclear plants will be a temporizing source of energy until new methods can be developed.

Prof. Duderstadt of the University of Michigan calculates that all the atomic waste the USA will produce, from the beginning of nuclear use cumulatively up to the year 2000, can fit into a cube about 80 meters on a side, and of that, the high-level wastes will fit in a cube of about l5 meters on a side i.e. 50 feet per side. Other studies calculate that all the nuclear wastes the USA has accumulated from the start of nuclear processing to the year 2000 could fit in the area of a football stadium, to a depth of three feet. Others have calculated that if all our sources of energy were nuclear powered, the yearly per capita amount of nuclear waste produced would be equivalent to the size of two aspirin pills, should the amount of consumption be at the rate of an average USA citizen. It is estimated that an average USA national consumes and pollutes one hundred times more than an African Masai for example.

Fear of nuclear weapon proliferation is no reason for denying countries nuclear fuel for their reactors. Development of atomic weapons from nuclear plant material requires technical know-how and economic funds that only few countries have. Should a country wish to produce atomic weapons, it would not choose to obtain its fuel from these nuclear reactors, for the nuclear fuel would be vastly more expensive than if it were obtained from conventional sources. In order to re-process uranium from spent fuels to produce atomic weapons requires a building about three miles long or more with the present technology. With satellite tracking, no country could hide such a plant.

International laws must be instituted so that countries obtaining nuclear fuel for their plants from countries with nuclear processors must return their spent fuel for reprocessing to decrease their accumulation and encourage recycling. This will insure accountability for nuclear arsenals. Plants that do not return their spent nuclear fuels will not be able to go on functioning, for no more new fuel would be assigned to them.

Worldwide political pressure must demand world powers to lift bans for obtaining loans for nuclear power. International laws must ensure all nations the right to nuclear power. An international nuclear regulatory commission should oversee nuclear power worldwide, and make all countries accountable to international laws.

Hydrogen produced electricity Water can be electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen. Such method is employed to run the hardware of the space shuttle. Utilizing solar cells to power the process is promising and totally environmentally friendly according to Cooper Union's Prof. Hollenberg. The liquid hydrogen can explode, as in the Hindenberg balloon disaster. It also tends to evaporate quickly. Mercedes Benz has a prototype that requires a large 1760 pound apparatus for hydrogen production in the body of electric cars. There is hope that this process will become safe, less bulky and efficient. In this source of electricity, the question is: although water and oxygen are most plentiful, like anything that is used up, they too are limited. What will the consequences be if we transfer our fossil fuel needs to this form of energy? If so many of our aquifers are almost empty, what will the impact of this new source or energy do to our lives? This is why the argument in favor of nuclear power is valid again. Nuclear's ability to replenish itself with breeder reactors will not continue taxing our planet's limited resources.

Wealth, economic and political stability, hunger and Peace: Families like countries, more often than not, become poor due to excessive numbers of children. Germany and Africa are samples of the spectrum.

Hunger dislocates peoples, causing migrations, de-stabilizing affluent societies due to the influx of hungry hoards. History is replete with such examples. To ignore other people's hunger is to jeopardize one's own security and wealth. Food and resource shortages will cause internal instability and ultimately drive countries to war. Wars and famine paradoxically cause greater numbers of births, for man overcompensates in crisis. Unlike most animal species who decrease reproducing when food shortages or stress occur, mankind resorts to sex for it finds solace in it. Children are the innocent products who later have to pay the consequences of their parent's carelessness. (See population graph enclosed regarding World War I and WW II "Baby Boom" explosion) Robert McNamara, ex US Secretary of Defense and later, President of the World Bank points out that "the exponential population growth is so far out of balance that this will impose heavy penalties on individuals as well as nations. Ultimately this will impose coercive measures of fertility regulation. This can be avoided by increasing knowledge and availability of contraception. If such measures are not made available, the penalties to the poor and nations will be enormous, and the ripple effect will inevitably extend to the rich as well."

Free enterprise, as customary in the USA, gives people the greatest economic incentive accounting for the greatest accumulation of wealth. Taxes are light, allowing for growth since the welfare and Social Security systems are not as extensive as in socialized countries.

In Japan, free enterprise rules to a great extent. Social Security, welfare and retirement pensions are in general not handled by the government, but by the people, encouraging them to save their earnings for their retirement. Incentives for company owners to give employees a share of the profits and be part of their company's decision-making process increases productivity and insures a sound economy. Japan has successfully incorporated this concept. There is a sense of teamwork and self-worth. It is this spirit that allows companies to survive even through hard times. Privatization - the transfer of some government functions to private ownership - must be encouraged to promote national economic growth. There is a car bumper sticker that says: "if you want the MAFIA to go out of business, have the government run it". Governments are notorious for poor business sense. This is the secret of why privatization always makes economic sense. It is no wonder Japan is a world power because of these philosophies in spite of its size and limited natural resources.

Social welfare states such as Sweden keep business in the hands of the people. But, in order to maintain its social -welfare system, has high taxation, a factor that discourages people from increased efforts, diminishing accumulations of wealth, but more importantly, robs motivation, causing economic stagnation and social ennui.

Unchecked nationalization, what happened to the USSR (Russia) in the last 50 years, is proof of how to destroy an economy. The economic weakness Russia faced, forced the Kremlin to grant unprecedented freedoms to its people in face of the realities of a collapsing economy, thus preventing an internal bloody revolution. Hunger triggered the French Revolution. Moscow learned this lesson well.

Taxes: With the advent of computer software at accessible prices, all countries will shortly be able to keep tax records, allowing for capturing revenues efficiently, something that was a difficult task not long ago. Billions of dollars worldwide can be raised this way for research, education, family planning, social programs and conservation. A more successful method of taxing would be to rise the present goods and service taxes, while decreasing income taxes. This will be more equitable and assure to include all members of society. As populations grow, as countries become more affluent, more energy-consuming gadgets are utilized. This increases energy consumption, and hence, increases pollution. A tax on energy -consuming, luxury gadgets can raise revenues and promote conservation Billions of illegal money from drugs, black market and crime is laundered world wide. This money evades taxes, allowing fortunes be spent on luxuries. Slightly increasing luxury taxes will also increase governmental revenues. Overburdening luxury taxes however, can discourage incentives for some elite industries, destroying niche jobs, something that is counterproductive.

Mass Education: Mass education has to appeal to people's basic needs, economic reward and survival instincts. In order for earth to continue sustaining us as it does today, after an expected growth of to a total maximum of 6 billion people, a progressive decrease that finally reaches only 2 billion by the year 2100, will allow mankind to continue inhabiting the planet in a sustainable fashion. This report was presented in 1994 by Cornell University to the Association for the Advancement of Science. This can be accomplished by limiting all new families from now on to an average of 1.5 children per family. If we do not heed this advice, we might end up like China who waited too long and found itself in the precarious situation of having to legislate limiting families to not more than 1 child per family because it was too late. If China, during Mao's time, would have limited each family no more than 2 children, they would not have had to face the painful one child per family rule they face now. Let us not fall behind in our family planing so governments do not have to intervene later as a cure of last resort.

The present 5.78 billion population is taxing the earth's resources at triple its ability to provide for us. Increasing our population to 8 or 10 billion will decimate all available resources to irreparable levels. Governments alone cannot teach the need for family planing for the notion of family planning can be perceived as a racist political manipulation that violates human rights. Family planning has to rise out of ethical and economic conviction, so we can have the wisdom in our hearts to take steps to start limiting our families now so they can have a future.

In September 1994, the United Nations General assembly met in Cairo, Egypt. At that meeting, for the first time in history, all nations, including the Vatican agreed that the world is facing a most serious overpopulation problem. All assembled countries acknowledged that family planning is key to a sustainable future for mankind. This is under the clear understanding that ethical, religious and cultural values must be respected above all. All countries agreed that strengthening the family, respecting the dignity of man, recognition of women and children's rights are paramount for this solution to be successful.

International Cooperation: We can keep the gloomy predictions from coming true and overcome the obstacles if we work together as a world family in all fields. All the efforts of one country will not ultimately make much difference to the global picture if the other countries continue at the present exponential population and pollution growth. For example, Iceland, has no problem with overpopulation, however, the world's dumping of sewage and pollutants is decreasing this country's main resource: fish.

Pollution, Recycling and Conservation: It is part of being alive to breathe, wash, manufacture, cook, build, etc. This, however, translates into pollution , something that has become apparent only lately because of the increasing numbers of people. The National Academy of Sciences points out that "Population growth is the biggest single driver of atmospheric pollution." If we double the number of people, the pollution problem will worsen, deteriorating our lives and the planet. The chapter on education here clearly spells the environmental devastation we face, and the solution to prevent it from becoming a reality.

About 70% to 80% of air pollution is from motor vehicles, engines and coal factories. Industrialized countries are the main culprits in pollution and in the depletion of worldwide natural resources. International pressure must focus on this fact, requiring industrialized countries to devise regulations for pollution and conservation, thereby easing the stresses on the environment. The encouragement of mass transportation, by increasing taxes on CO2 emissions and motor vehicle purchases, will somewhat ease this. Replacing fossil fuel engines by electrical ones generated from atomic, solar or hydrogen will address the pollution problem. Discounts for use of electricity during off hours will maximize utility use. Utilization of fluorescent lights and insulation will decrease energy demands. The US energy Information Administration reported in 1997, that switching from convention incandescent lights to fluorescent lights for just four hours daily, it would translate to a 33% savings in electrical use. Tax rebates would encourage these concepts. The international law banning ( FCC's) Chlorhydrofluorocarbons that destroy the ozone layer must be strictly enforced. Deadly skin cancers such as melanoma have greatly increased in just the past few years due to the destruction of the ozone layer.

A realistic approach to curb pollution in industry has been used by the Environmental Protection Agency of the USA. Trade sanctions must be applied to products form countries that do not follow pollution and conservation standards, protecting the countries that do follow the rules. Tax cuts and laws requiring installation of fuel efficient equipment and pollution-cutting fuel-emission devices will considerably decrease pollution.

Industrial executives must be made personally accountable for pollution, just as medical doctors are ultimately accountable for their negligence. Penalties, including lost manufacturing licenses, should be imposed on manufacturing plants, and economic penalties imposed on executive officers and their companies depending upon the severity of the damages. International laws addressing clean ups and wrongful death payments for accidents should be instituted in such a way that companies cannot treat life and ecological destruction as a commodity that money can buy. These threats will encourage executives to follow the law, otherwise, any monetary penalties imposed are always paid up by the consumer, thus being nondeterrant.

Laws and incentives must encourage citizens to separate reusable components from their daily garbage . This will reduce disposal costs and cut down wastefulness, allowing for recycling, decreasing pollution and slowing depletion of natural resources. Aluminum, glass and paper can be recycled efficiently. The cost of aluminum from recycling is one twentieth of the price of extracting it from bauxite. Polystyrene foam and plastics can be recycled for insulation boards and other products. In high-rise buildings, garbage disposals can be transformed so that no more incineration takes place in the building, and dwellers are assigned designated dates for disposing of trash, through existing shoots for collection and recycling. In Japan, the municipal plant in Machida has become the example for efficiency in the recycling field.

Forestry: Deforestation diminishes rainfall and oxygen, thus lowering water table levels, increasing erosion and CO2 accumulation. Plants are the lungs of the earth, without them, we have no oxygen. Deforestation is decimating ecosystems, plant and animal species that can never be replaced. So many varieties of medicinal plants and animal species that contribute in immense ways to our plant's well being are becoming extinct. Global warming (caused in great part by deforestation, man made emissions of C02 accumulation and destruction of the ozone layer) is another major threat to the environment. NASA predicts a temperature increase of 2,5 degrees Centigrade in the next 50 years, while others claim a 5 degree Centigrade increase in that period. This is altering weather patterns, increasing floods, hurricanes and dry spells, thereby changing food chains in unpredictable ways and causing desertification. Global warming has not been as noticeable in the past few years. This is due to dust clouds from the Pinatubo volcanic dust that has protected the planet temporarily.

Protection of arable and forest land has been so successful in Japan that their ideas can be used as a blue print. A major part of the deforestation problem is that many people grasp the short-term profit even though patience is more profitable. The New York Botanical Garden and Yale University reported in the June l989 issue of the journal Nature that one hectare of Brazilian rainforest can produce $6,330 dollars if it is left as is, selectively harvesting its fruit, latex and timber over 50 years. The same hectare, transformed into a timber plantation, would produce $3,184 during 50 years; if that hectare was used for cattle farming, it would produce $2,960 during that same period. But because that same hectare would produce $1,000 immediately when it is logged, the owner invariably takes that one-time income, leaving nothing for his children's future.

Land titles can be given with the understanding that the land must be reforested and harvested. Logging rights could be auctioned by governments with the agreement that the forests must be harvested and replanted. Conservation companies could bid for these rights in order to avoid the destruction of the forests. Laws should be enacted to mandate the planting and preservation of native shrubs and trees that grow by the edges of roads, city streets, farming plots and railroad tracts in order to preserve moisture, maintain the biological diversity and prevent erosion and pollution.

Wildlife Sanctuaries: Barber Conable, President of the World Bank said: "Sound Ecology is good economics." The creation of national parks in order to save one's national heritage can create pockets of wildlife reserve, a genetic bank for the future. These can never be replaced by zoos or man made creations.

Cloning: Evolution has learned through millions of years that survival depends on biodiversity. Amoebas, a most primitive organism in the evolutionary ladder clones itself. Cloning is the antithesis of genetic development. We endanger genetic progress by encouraging cloning. The Irish potato famine could have been prevented if there would have been greater variety of potatoes in their crops. This example should teach us a hard lesson of how limiting genetic pools can be devastating to lives and economies.

In a world that lives with prejudice, racism, and is facing limiting families, genetic manipulation could lend itself to people of the likes of Hitler to use cloning for population control, choosing only the ones they conclude are "ideal prototypes". The movie THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL is a chilling reminder of what mankind is capable of dreaming up in order to control the world.

Science needs animal, bacterial, viral and other microorganism as well as vegetable clones for many uses, and it has its specific place. For example, some day, we will be able to clone microorganisms that carry genetic material, capable of producing certain enzymes and can be introduced into humans who lack them, making this marriage lifesaving. The future of many branches of medicine is in the hands of genetic engineering. If we think a clone will replace a loved one, we are mistaken. It will have the same genetic material, but the circumstances surrounding the new clone will not be the same, and the product will never be able to replicate the essence, "the spirit" of the loved one. The notion of bringing back to life someone we love is a deceitful painful mirage.

Polar Caps and Thermoregulation: The world community must declare the polar caps as sanctuaries for their thermoregulation is life giving. The idea of the World Wildlife Fund, Sweden and Holland etc. to purchase national debts of debtor countries in exchange for assured preservation of natural habitats can be a solution to the budget deficits of countries, decreasing the ecological disintegration. Creditor nations must forgive loans in exchange for a nation's promise to preserve their wildlife and forest since this will be one of the soundest and priceless investments for our future.

Practical Medical Solutions for Family Planning:

Education in family planning is the answer in order to decrease abortion and avoid the 45 thousand children that die every day in third world countries from disease and starvation. Within the l996 year alone, World Health Organization reports that there were 45 million reported abortions world wide, 20 million under unsafe conditions. This reflects ignorance and poor family planning. Ignoring the need for education in family planning is indeed a sin of omission. How much suffering could be prevented if this education was made available! If we do not heed this advice, we might end up like China who waited too long and found itself in the precarious situation of having to legislate limiting families to not more than 1 child per family.

In order for all of us to be able to live with dignity and peace, a zero population growth, world wide must be met. This translates to about 1.5 child per NEW family so the earth can sustain and replace life as we know it. This is why the recommendation of limiting our families to no more than one or two children is wise. (See June 1985 pamphlet: Hearing before the Select Committee on Hunger US house of representatives Serial 99-4) Overpopulation and Hunger and National Geographic "Population, Plenty and Poverty" December 1988. All the contraceptive methods available will not solve the problem if people do not see overpopulation and the destruction of our environment as a threat to them and their children. The United Nations and the World Health Organization can share vital information about this matter.

Family planning methods must be taught early in grade school. If families because of personal reasons prefer to teach their children these concepts, governments must respect their wishes, but testing this knowledge in children must be mandatory. Youthful unwanted pregnancies have become epidemic in the USA, to some extent due to ignorance of woman's "fertile times" in the ovulatory cycle and ignorance of family planning. Contraceptives should be provided by governments upon request for those who cannot afford them, fees must be stipulated for those who can. Norplant (product from Finland ) for example, a contraceptive capsule implanted in the skin, delivers a constant hormonal dose for a period of five years. It can be removed with a small incision at any time if requested, since it is not biodegradable. Capronor, a similar product, is being studied by the National Institute of Health in this country. Capronor is promising because the capsule lasts only one year, and since it is biodegradable, it does not require removal from the skin. Norplant is already available for use, and has been well accepted in many countries for several years.

"THE MORNING AFTER PILL" method is recommended by the American College of Obstetricians. This can be used in case of emergency when no contraceptive methods are used. This will decrease up to 75 % of pregnancies. This requires to take two birth control pills up to 72 hours after sex, then two more 12 hours after sex. Repeated use of this method is dangerous and thus not advised. Enclosed is data evaluating the various contraceptive methods:

(A) REALITY OF FAILURE RATES OF CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS - worldwide*:

* Hutchins (Saunders, 1994) world statistics, upper range.

(B) REALITY OF FAILURE RATES OF CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS - usa:**

** Gutmacher Institute (USA) upper range 1988.

(C) THE MORNING AFTER PILL, REALITY OF FAILURE RATE - usa:***

*** American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

For religions who recommend natural family planning, the "rhythm method" perfected by Billings, has been very successful, but requires detailed instruction, something not practical in remote areas. Such religions must establish a precept that requires monthly abstinence or barrier method type protection for a minimum of 10 continuous days. Day one is assigned to the first day of menstruation. Abstinence or barrier protection starts ten days after the first day of menstrual spotting (day one) and ends on day 20 (the10th day of abstinence or barrier method). "The Ring of Life" method is being promoted by Lifewatch Group Ltd. This method works with healthy women between ages 20-36. Although this will not be as safe as the Billing's method, (since this period of abstinence is not as long and some women have irregular ovulation) it will nevertheless have an enormous impact in world demographics. The "Ring of Life" can also be used as an aid for women who use conventional contraceptive methods to further decrease their chances of pregnancy.

Breast feeding (by healthy women) for the first six months after delivery is the best natural contraception provided no other food or liquid supplements are given, according to Georgetown University (Lancet, 1992), World Health Organization (Contraception, 1994) and many world authorities. Maternal diet, no matter how poor, will not diminish natural milk's nourishment. Baby food companies discredit mother's milk - because of economic interest. Nothing in nature is as healthy as breast milk. Breast feeding decreases breast cancer and strengthens the child's immune system as well as its psyche.

The Guttmacher institute reported in 1987 that for each dollar of government subsidy for birth control, it saves $4.4 for such services such as welfare, medical and nutritional costs that arise from unwanted pregnancies. This savings does not include the cost of drug, crime, legal and jails needed to address problems brought by people who are products of unwanted pregnancies in their later years.

Family, Drugs and Crime: Economic pressures brought on by overpopulation cause such competition that it is forcing many to spend long hours at the work place, causing families to spend too little time together. The price is paid in growing numbers of psychological disturbances, drugs, alcohol, teenager pregnancy and divorce. Parents often are too stressed to show love and encourage their children with school work, discipline, or respect. Illiteracy is a growing problem, while social and moral graces are disappearing. In Japan, it is customary for women to quit the work force once they have a child. Their level of illiteracy (1%) and crime are one of the lowest in the world. Their divorce rate is about 12%; in USA is 50%. (Japan's high suicide rate speaks for the enormous competition for jobs and education. Those who fail think they have no future.) Countries who choose to keep businesses closed on Sundays gain from this economic sacrifice manifold in decreasing family and social disintegration.

China faced country-wide opium addiction up to l949 when the problem was practically eradicated. The tactics were ruthless, and must not be repeated, but experience teaches us that the problem can be checked through courage and will. We the people must demand of our governments to eradicate these problems. lately reports show that most governments are involved in drug traffic because of the political and economic powers behind them. This is why the problem instead of being solved is growing. Only political pressure from us the voters could accomplish change.

The problem of alcoholism and drugs has been successfully helped by the idea of Alcoholic Anonymous in the USA and in other countries. It is run by lay people, and is not an economic burden to tax payers. This concept can be applied to all drug problems. There are new methods to detoxify cocaine addicts using medication at the National Institute of Health in the US. This method is expensive and must be monitored by medical doctors knowledgeable about these pharmaceuticals, but is helping many. It takes about a year, but it can be done.

Crime is growing rampantly in part because of drug trafficking. Gun shootings closely linked to these problems are a national disease in the USA. In France, shootings are rare since guns are illegal. Gun lobbies in the USA are so powerful that they control many gun laws. If voters would put enough political pressure on their senators, this too would change.

Perhaps obligatory conscription for l8 year olds, of both sexes, for a period of one year will teach them discipline, responsibility and maturity. Conscript service, however, should emphasize discipline and education and should be less rigorous in its concept than present military methods. During that year, illiterates should be taught to read and write and they must be given the opportunity to learn a trade. Others may take courses that will aid them in their future education. Others, during this year could travel to other countries to learn other cultures. This would encourage international exchange, and the education gleaned would be invaluable in an ever shrinking planet. To avoid the perpetual illiteracy specially for women, this year should focus on deficiencies that were not addressed during earlier school years.

Unemployment and Social Welfare: Welfare programs often encourage able-bodied people to remain jobless because it provides a subsistence if one remains unemployed, discouraging job searches. In Sweden, many government benefits can be obtained by earning them through labor. This example can be applied to all able-bodied people, giving them a sense of accomplishment, self worth, and being part of the community. This will make them regain confidence, while making them and the country more healthy and productive; women who are on welfare could be placed in the work force if arrangements for child-care centers are established. Many teenagers in this county escape school and family by becoming pregnant, knowing the government will give them child support, assuring them a way of existence. How can parents and governments encourage youths to throw away their futures ? Welfare robs people of their self-respect, and creates a poor role model for their children, perpetuating a tier of generations who fail in society.

In order to promote family planning, governments must help subsidize in part with tax abatements, nurseries, health and retirement plans to families as a compensation for limiting the number of children they bring into the world. If these services are not provided, families will continue having as many children as possible to insure themselves these benefits. Proletariat societies are the most common in the world to date. Village women's organizations can be formed to meet monthly, where health and family planners provide medical care and education. In remote villages, if entertainment were provided, this can be an occasion for community get-togethers to promote unity and neighborliness. Recognition awards for small families and for whose children excel in school should be given at these meetings, thus promoting peer pressure. Small families and education will then become fashionable.

Housing and the Homeless: Unless we change our priorities and social welfare system, the problem of homelessness will grow and be here to stay.

Governmental housing for the homeless in the US has failed to a large extent because tenants have no pride in ownership. If governmentally subsidized housing would require new dwellers during a period of one year of free housing to "earn" the right to continue living there by conforming to cleanliness and neighborliness, this shelter would not be taken for granted. Tenants that have earned the right to live there after this probationary period must sign a contract to "purchase " their dwelling making monthly payments for a determined period of time. This investment, no matter how nominal, would give them the pride of ownership. It is human nature to respect that for which one has invested time and money. Because of this psychological fact, whatever effort they have to make to pay, will change their attitude toward the shelter. Dwellers who do not conform are evicted. The building residents themselves can elect its own Board of Overseers so that a community feeling is promoted in order to enforce local city and dwelling regulations.

City planning must encourage vertical dwelling by tax incentives. Japan has encouraged this so its limited agricultural lands and natural resources are maximized. City planners must carefully design dwellings to prevent the feeling of anonymity that frequently prevails in large housing complexes.

Religions and Charity: We hope world religions listen to the consequences of overpopulation. The role of religion should be to preach to us to bring to this world only the number of children for whom we can honestly provide love food and time without expecting society or governments to carry our burden. This is called by the Catholic church "responsible family planning, " a concept that is actively taught now in some regions in Mexico.

Often, the only contact some poor people have with the outside world is through their religious leaders. Because of this, the role of religious leaders to teach basic medical principles of contraception- in keeping with their religious beliefs- would be as welcome as if it came from a physician, for the people's trust and respect is bestowed upon them. It is now that religious leaders must provide what society is failing to give: understanding, guidance and love. Often the faithful are abandoning religion because they feel their emotional and social and needs are not being met, or in the case of the Catholic church, due to its refusal to accept contraception. At times religious organizations condemn their faithful for their frailties and failings. How can one be so strong when the pressures of life are to some overwhelming? Religions must be there to fill these needs.

Promiscuity is growing due to the craving for love, closeness, and at the same time as a release from stress. The famines of Africa, World Wars I and II are such examples. The enclosed population growth curve shows this unique human phenomenon of which overpopulation is a by-product: children, the innocent victims.

Family and Society: Can't we see that illiteracy, drug addiction, homelessness-joblessness, teenage pregnancy and divorce are the bitter fruit of lack of time for love and nurturing in our homes and community due to the competitive pressures overpopulation is bringing upon us? Instead, we blame governments and schools, expecting them to compensate for our negligence. Some parents think that being generous providers to their families is their only duty; but like the Pharisees, they fail to see that deeds and tithes are a shallow objectionable mimicry of love. That is to say that empty acts and financial support are no replacement for their time and love. To bring children into this world to fill our loneliness, to fill our need for love, or as little helpers in our daily chores, as insurance for old age or to assure our immortality is ultimately the most selfish of deeds. Perhaps religion can refresh this teaching and remind us all that charity starts at home.

The concept of charity must be reviewed. It is said "It is better to give than to receive." To be in the gutter begging for a morsel of food, dying of starvation, strips a man of his dignity and drags his spirit to the lowest levels. Of course he who hands out a morsel to him senses a feeling of power for being able to "help," and at the same time gladdens his heart knowing he is not in the receiving end, but by doing so, he fuels the downward spiral of this humiliation. Is in not nobler to give one's hand to raise him out of this precipice so he can stand tall and carry his own weight and regain his dignity ? Family planning and education will help end and prevent this growing problem. I hope religion joins in this battle. It would be a tragedy if it were banned due to its lack of cooperation. History shows that governments will ban religious institutions that do not accede to new social needs. A world without God would be a truly barren place.

Mother Theresa teaches that we must not worry for nothing happens without the Will of God. We have also been told that God helps those who help themselves. Perhaps it is God's Will to have brought mankind to this cross in our paths. For the first time humanity is facing a problem so insidious and threatening that to overcome it we MUST WORK TOGETHER AS A WORLD FAMILY transcending politics and greed. Unless we limit our families, the alternatives are desolation or war. In the realization of our vulnerability we will find humility, brotherhood and our way back to God.

©1997 Lifewatch Group Ltd.

See enclosed Population Graph.

"The issue of overpopulation is an important matter that certainly needs to be evaluated."

"Do not worry - God is still in charge - … through this work of your heart you may grow in holiness"

"I agree with you one hundred percent that overpopulation is the root of hunger, crime, drugs, joblessness, family disintegration and adverse impact on the environment... I have tried to call the worlds attention to the "population monster," as I call it. I did so also I accepting the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970"

"It is surely fine that you are working on the population problem…I write a book years ago that was essentially on the population problem, and I have continued to work along these lines."

"I am very interested in the subject but the problem of population explosion is fraught with serious political problems, such as here in South Africa."

"I have viewed this problem with much the same alarm as you, for the land area of my island nation is quite small and limited, and at this time our population is greater than ever before in history."

"Although Iceland is one of the rather few nations in the world where overpopulation is not a problem, we are aware of the threat overpopulation is the global ecosystem, especially when it comes to dumping waste into the sea, since fish is our main livelihood."