“Declining” Population Least of your Worries

This article was originally published June 10, 2019.

Froma Harrop, a long-time friend to population activists and advocates – and a nationally syndicated journalist to boot, recently wrote an article in RealClearPolitics (RCP). Here, she brings her no-frills writing style and wry perspective to bear on the so-called “Demographic Decline” – purported, by some quarters, to be a scourge upon the United States. This, of course, is a ridiculous notion considering ongoing rapid population growth in the U.S. Thanks, Froma!

Last week, we got news on the continuation of a lawsuit levied against the U.S. government in 2015. The plaintiffs in the case are 21 young people – who are suing pursuant to their belief that the failure of government leaders to combat climate change violates their constitutional right to a clean environment.

The closely watched lawsuit, Juliana v. United States, is being heard by the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. According to brief filed by the plaintiffs, climate change is depriving children of their “rights to life, liberty, property, and public trust resources by federal government acts that knowingly destroy, endanger, and impair the unalienable climate system that nature endows.”

Like the previous administration, this administration is retorting that “there is no fundamental constitutional right to a ‘stable climate system,’” and therefore the lawsuit should be tossed. Obviously, constitutional law is a relatively esoteric discipline when measured against the full scope of human civilization and its future viability. Hence, even if technically correct, the government’s position here – in terms of practicality – seems egregiously on the wrong side of history.

If Juliana v. United States goes to trial, it could be a major win in the fight for climate action.

Image source: Flickr