I. Population

Humans have a unique responsibility for stewardship of the Earth. No species, especially on the upper end of the food chain, can have unchecked exponential growth without depleting the Earth's carrying capacity—human population expands at the expense of other species.

Limiting the discussion to population numbers and birthrates diverts attention from over-consumption in the industrial world and historic patterns of exploitation of developing countries. Consumption-oriented lifestyles that have evolved in the industrial world have resulted in a minority of people consuming a majority of resources. This is as significant a threat to the Earth's carrying capacity as the high birth rates in low-consumption countries.

Current global demographics demonstrate that economic well-being promotes low birthrates. Any discussion of population must also be a discussion of women throughout the world. There is documented evidence that the economic and social status of women is a primary factor in birthrates—when women have control over their lives, birthrates decrease. Also, a major barrier to the improvement of women's reproductive health is a lack of shared responsibility between men and women in family planning. A combination of male attitudes and cultural traditions have resulted in most men being under-educated and uninvolved in the planning of their families.

Globally, human population is increasing while food production has leveled off. When population increases faster than the economy grows, the disparity between rich and poor also increases. Higher human consumption rates and populations increase the pressure on the environment in every ecological problem area.

1. Those living in the industrialized world must end the habits of waste and over-consumption that place as much stress on the environment as does population growth in developing nations.
2. We must remove the political and economic barriers that prevent women around the world from having all the resources necessary to become skilled family planners.
3. Funds must be allocated for expanded scientific research into safer and more effective birth control techniques and devices. We demand better-than-adequate health care for women and children--especially prenatal care. [See section D.Foreign Policy on page 11 in chapter I and section A.1.Women's Rights on page 18 in this chapter]
4. There must be access to free birth control devices, information counseling, and clinics to all who desire them. We call for implementation of family planning education for both genders in all levels of the state school system. [See section D.Foreign Policy on page 11 in chapter I and section A.1.Women's Rights on page 18 in this chapter]
5. We must promote new traditions and images of men becoming fully involved in all aspects of the family planning process.

II. SOCIAL JUSTICE
I. Population

World population is currently estimated at more than 6 billion people and projected to grow to 9 billion by 2050. The U.S. population is projected to grow from 300 million to 420 million by 2050. The question that confronts us is: is this level of population growth sustainable? GPUS says no.

Global warming, extinction of species, water scarcity, natural resource depletion, massive deforestation and, in general the pollution of the air, land and water around the world sound an alarm that we a fouling our own nest. If our life-support system, Mother Nature, is overwhelmed, the survival of the human species is in question. We owe it to ourselves to address the danger of excessive population growth.

Overpopulation, like environmental degradation, is a national and global problem and must be solved by all nations individually and collectively at home and using the UN forum. Blaming one or the other will solve nothing. The beginning of the solution is recognition, followed by the will to act. .

The Green Party of the United States seeks to overcome our denial of a dangerous state of affairs by declaring a policy of zero population growth, starting with a lowering of the rate of increase.. Our striving for a “quality of life” for all people depends upon ageement that over crowding has dire consequences for everyone. When environmentalists acknowledge the link between overpopulation and depletion of resources, they will join the population groups to inform and warn the world of what’s in store if we do nothing. We call for:

1. Repeal of the Global Gag Rule imposed by the Bush administration to prevent the distribution of family planning assistance to clinics that provide abortion services;
2. Full funding for the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA), from which the Bush administration has withheld family planning funds since 2002;
3. Full funding for HIV/AIDS programs that promote safe sex, as well as abstinence.
4. Instead of building a wall, either rescind or change the terms of NAFTA, CAFTA to end the exploitation of labor. New conditions must include the protection of labor and the environment in all trade agreements. This will make it possible for the impoverished of Mexico and farther South to sustain themselves within their own country and culture.