Human Progress

After so much bad news, here is some good news: our global population may be more under control than many think. While some countries do continue to have high birth rates, such as Afghanistan with an average of six children per woman or Niger with seven (Indexmundi.com), other countries are experiencing lower birth rates. In his article, “No Babies?”, Russell Shorto explains that decreasing birthrate is a general trend in Europe. In fact, while 2.1 children per woman is considered to be the rate at which a country’s current population will be maintained, Southern and Eastern Europe have dropped down to a rate of 1.3! This means that countries with such low birthrates will actually experience decreasing populations in years to come, potentially halving in 45 years (Shorto, 2008). Additionally, in developing countries, the average birthrate has decreased from 6 to 2.9 children per woman since 1972.

Much of the birthrate decrease can be attributed to the availability of modern forms of birth control, and the economic infeasibility for couples producing large families (Shorto, 2008). A significant correlation between women’s’ increasing literacy and decreasing birthrates has also been detected after a case study in India. Other studies in developing countries have supported this finding, as well as suggested that infant mortality rates decrease with increased literacy (Robey, 1990). I feel that I cannot rejoice the declining populations and birthrates in so many areas without mentioning that there can be economic consequences of populations shrinking too fast- the elderly can be left without care, fewer young adults entering the work force can leave positions unfilled (hard to imagine), and other complicated problems can arise. However, for the purpose of my blog, I would like to simply state that a declining (or static) human population will, in my opinion, be ecologically and environmentally beneficial overall. 

As far as the quality of our freshwater is concerned, we have a long way to go before we reach a sustainable level of wastewater. Luckily, actions are beginning to be taken in many places to improve the quality of fresh waterways. For example, in Ohio (a big farming state), groups including the Ohio Farm Bureau are taking action in the form of letters to encourage farmers to decrease their output of nutrient runoff. In these letters, the groups warn that the government may ultimately enforce new regulations if farmers do not willingly make their agricultural practices more eco-friendly (Associated Press, 2013).

Other parts of the world are also working towards safer and healthier waterways. For example, a $1.5 million dollar plan in India is underway to help improve access to safe water and create better ways of dealing with water-borne illnesses (Safe Water Network, 2013). I was surprised to learn that Coca-Cola is working towards replenishing all of the water it uses to manufacture its beverages. Part of this program is a partnership between Coca-Cola and WaterAid, with the aim of supplying safe water to 2 million people in Africa by 2015. On a similar note, PepsiCo recently prematurely reached its’ goal of providing safe water for 3 million people living in developing countries (Environmentalleader.com, 2013).

As expressed in my marine systems section, there are layers of obstacles threatening the ocean and the organisms within it that are going to be difficult to face. For starters, carbon emissions stand to harm not only the biodiversity of the oceans, but of terrestrial systems too. Reducing our reliance on processes that release carbon into the atmosphere (such as current transportation and electricity), will be a long and difficult process. However, it has already begun! Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are already used a great deal in parts of Europe, as well as China and the United States. The following figure illustrates the renewable investments by country in 2010.

getsolar.com

Some great (and potentially surprising) news for the U.S. was recently released from the International Energy Agency: it has had a larger reduction in carbon dioxide pollution in the past six years than any other country. This 7.7% decrease is mainly attributed to power generation switching from relying on coal to natural gas, and less oil required for transportation (less travel, higher vehicle efficiency) (Cardinale, 2012). While this is a great leap for the United States, we still have a long way to go, as we are currently one of the top C02 polluters.

As the use of renewable energy increases globally, carbon emissions can begin to decline, and hopefully, our oceans’ pH levels will stop plummeting towards dangerously low levels.

Luckily, awareness about plastic pollution is growing, even if it is at a slower rate than many of us would like. Here in Davis, a program called “Zero Waste” helps to divert up to 90% of trash from landfills generated at Farmer’s Markets and certain festivals around the city (Cooldavis.org). Below is an image of a zero waste event in progress, where volunteers helped to encourage the public to deposit their waste properly.

cooldavis.org

Just a stone’s throw away in San Mateo, plastic bag bans have been implemented, putting an end to the 550 million plastic bags that were handed out annually there (Sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com, 2013). 

Innovative businesses like Burt’s Bees, who have been using recycled plastic for their lip balm cases since the 1990s, are setting an eco-friendly example for other corporations to follow. In 2012, Burt’s Bees announced that they would be partnering with Preserve (a sustainable consumer goods company), to work towards diverting more plastic from landfills. The plastic recovered from landfills will then be used for Preserve products such as toothbrushes (Burtsbees.com). Additionally, as I learned in Mark Eriksen’s (from 5gyres.org) presentation, Burt’s Bees uses biodegradable Jojoba beads in their facial scrubs, resulting in public pressure for other facial scrub brands to do the same.

In an effort to address the issue of desertification, more scientific studies are underway, looking into the details of the extent of the damage. The U.N. also recently decided to allocate funding towards the prevention of land degradation and desertification, and carbon credits for the preservation of soil are being discussed (Carrington, 2010).

It is small steps like these that, over time, will help humans reach a more sustainable state of existence that do not so heavily degrade our lands or waters. Today, there is no simple solution to any of our environmental crises. Studies continue to research what the exact damages are, and what the best approaches might be to lessen them. To me, it seems that a combination of conscious effort, increased awareness, and more priority dedicated to the purity of our water and land is a good place to begin.We have a long way to go, but we are making progress!

Works Cited

12 San Mateo County Cities Enact Plastic Bag Bans on Earth Day. Sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com, 22 Apr., 2013. Web. 6 Jun. 2013.

Associated Press. Farmers Asked to Help Reduce Nutrient Runoff to Avoid Regulation. Woub News: NPR, 16 Jan. 2013. Web. 5 Jun. 2013.

Burt’s Bees Joins Preserve Gimme 5 Recycling Effort. Burtsbees.com, n.d. Web. 6 Jun. 2013.

Cardinale, Matthew Charles. U.S. Sees Greatest Reduction in CO2 Emissions. Inter Press Service News Agency, 30 Jun. 2012. Web. 6 Jun. 2013.

Carrington, Damian. Desertification is Greatest Threat to Planet, Expert Warns. Guardian.co.uk, 15 Dec. 2010. Web. 6 Jun. 2013.

Coke to Improve Water Efficiency 25%. Environmentalleader.com, 6 Jun. 2013. Web. 6 Jun. 2013.

Merck and Safe Water Network Launch Initiative to Improve Water Access and Help Reduce the Impact of Water-Borne Disease in India. Safewaternetwork.org, 2013. Web. 5 Jun. 2013.

Robey, B. How Female Literacy Affects Fertility: the Case of India. Asia Pac Pop Policy 15: 1-3.

Shorto, Russell. No Babies? The New York Times, 29 Jun. 2008. Web. 5 Jun. 2013.

Total Fertility Rate. Indexmundi.com, n.d. Web. 5 Jun. 2013.

Zero Waste. Cooldavis.org, n.d. Web. 6 Jun. 2013.