Overwhelming evidence has engendered a consensus among global scientists that the human population level and trend are unsustainable. Although we are part of nature, we may have some choice in the ongoing process of which our numbers are but one variable. Individual, social, and institutional factors are examined, and policy options are considered. Evidence is given debunking the claim that the rich attempt to coerce poor nations to reduce fertility. Carrying capacity and optimum population concepts are discussed, particularly as to equilibrium potential. Prospects for pro-active success are entertained.

For full article, visit:
http://www.peakoilandhumanity.com/kurtz_folder/feedback_disequilibrium.htm

Now we’d like to turn to another matter at the intersection of health and policy. As we mentioned on this program last week, new provisions of a health care reform bill went into effect last week. And among them is the requirement that new health policies provide coverage for preventative services, including things like: standard vaccines, breast and colon cancer screenings, screenings for diabetes and so on.

But the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has sent a letter earlier this month to the Department of Health and Human Services, urging the exclusion of contraception and sterilization from that list of mandatory services of preventive care for women.

For full article, visit:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130155202

Thanks to Lester Brown for this Book Byte.
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Civilization’s Foundation Eroding
By Lester R. Brown
www.earth-policy.org/index.php?/book_bytes/2010/pb4ch02_ss2

Earth Policy Release
Book Byte
September 28, 2010

The thin layer of topsoil that covers the planet’s land surface is the foundation of civilization. This soil, typically 6 inches or so deep, was formed over long stretches of geological time as new soil formation exceeded the natural rate of erosion. But sometime within the last century, as human and livestock populations expanded, soil erosion began to exceed new soil formation over large areas.

This is not new. In 1938, Walter Lowdermilk, a senior official in the Soil Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, traveled abroad to look at lands that had been cultivated for thousands of years, seeking to learn how these older civilizations had coped with soil erosion. He found that some had managed their land well, maintaining its fertility over long stretches of history, and were thriving. Others had failed to do so and left only remnants of their illustrious pasts.
Continue Reading »

GRAIN | 15 September 2010

Against the grain

Last week, on 7 September 2010, the World Bank finally decided to publish its much anticipated report on the global farmland grab. After years of work, several months of political negotiation and who knows how much money spent, the report was casually released on the Bank’s website – in English only.(1)

The report is both a disappointment and a failure. Everyone was expecting the Bank to provide new and solid on-the-ground data about these “large scale land acquisitions”, to use their terminology, that have created so much controversy since 2008. After all, the Bank should have access to governments and corporations in a way that journalists and non government organisation (NGO) researchers never would. The Bank itself says this was its central ambition. But there is hardly anything new in the whole 160-plus page document. The Bank said it was going to look concretely at 30 countries, but it only looked at 14. As it turns out, companies refused to share information about their farmland investments, as did governments providing the lands. So the Bank turned instead to farmlandgrab.org , a website run by GRAIN, made a database of all the deals that the media reported on there, and then sent out teams of consultants to see if they were real or not.(2) Is this the best that the World Bank could do?

For full article, visit:
http://farmlandgrab.org/15542

Thanks to Albert Kaufman for this article from the Los Angeles Times, written by Ken Weiss, who is on this mailing list. It’s a great affirmation of the importance of population in climate change, and you should let the paper know how good it is to see inclusion of population as a central theme in an article like this.
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Ever since belching smokestacks arose during the Industrial Revolution, greenhouse gases and human population have climbed in lockstep to higher and higher levels.

And while scientists warn that humanity must dramatically slash future carbon-dioxide emissions to avert extended droughts, floods and other climate catastrophes, they have generally avoided a rigorous examination of how slowing population growth would help. Now, an international team of scientists has done the math.

For full article, visit:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/10/global-warming-overpopulation

You can post your comments at http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/10/global-warming-overpopulation-climate-change.html#comments

Solar photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturers produced a record 10,700 megawatts of PV cells globally in 2009—an impressive 51-percent increase from the year before. While growth in 2009 slowed from the remarkable 89-percent expansion in 2008, it continued the rapid rise of an industry that first reached 1,000 megawatts of production in 2004. By the end of 2009, nearly 23,000 megawatts of PV had been installed worldwide, enough to power 4.6 million U.S. homes. Solar PV, the world’s fastest-growing power technology, now generates electricity in more than 100 countries.

Made of semiconductor materials, PV cells convert solar radiation directly into electricity. Rectangular panels consisting of numerous PV cells can be linked into arrays of various sizes and power output capabilities—from rooftop systems of one to several kilowatts to ground-mounted arrays of hundreds or even thousands of megawatts. (One megawatt equals 1,000 kilowatts.)

For full article, visit:
http://www.earth-policy.org/index.php?/indicators/solar_power_2010

Stay up-to-date with what’s happening at Population Media Center by following us on Twitter and Facebook. We’ll keep you informed about our newest program developments and the latest in population and health communications news.

Thanks to John Rohe for this article published by the Chroincle of Philanthrophy.
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Chronicle of Philanthropy
September 19, 2010

http://philanthropy.com/section/Home/172

Looking to the Past for Insights Into How to Predict Future Challenges
By John F. Rohe

Philanthropy serves two realms: the present and the future. It responds to pressing needs today, and it strives to avert hardships tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s uncertain terrain, however, has never been a top priority. Philanthropists can be distracted from future needs by the pressing demands of the present. This is particularly true when a global recession inflicts intense hardship on so many.
Continue Reading »

Thanks to Erik Bergstrom for this information.
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The contraceptive implant is a highly effective, safe, long-acting, and popular contraceptive method that has been shown to be acceptable to women worldwide. However, the high cost of this commodity has been a major barrier to its availability in many countries. Sino-implant (II) addresses this problem. As of 2009, this implant cost about 60 percent less than others available, according to the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition database. Under a current five-year grant awarded to FHI by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, FHI facilitates the safe and sustainable introduction of Sino-implant (II) in resource-constrained countries. Sino-implant (II)-marketed as Zarin, as Femplant, and under other trade names-is composed of two thin rods, each containing 75 mg of levonorgestrel, the active ingredient. Sino-implant (II) is comparable to Jadelle, in that it provides the same amount of levonorgestrel and has the same mechanism of action. It is currently labeled for four years of use and is distributed with a CE-marked disposable trocar.

For full article, visit:
http://www.fhi.org/en/Research/Projects/sinoimplant.htm

Over the next decade, some astonishing new technologies will spread to fight global poverty. They’re called contraceptives.

This is a high-tech revolution that will affect more people in a more intimate way than almost any other technological stride. The next generation of family planning products will be cheaper, more effective and easier to use — they could be to today’s condoms and diaphragms what a smartphone is to the bricklike cellphones of 20 years ago.

Contraception dates back to ancient Egypt, where amorous couples relied on condoms made of linen. Yet after three millennia, although we can now intercept a missile in outer space, we’re often still outwitted by wandering sperm.

For full article, visit:
http://www.nytimes.com