Overpopulation is a major problem facing the world. The author Frosty Wooldridge claims that as a result of overpopulation there has been a reduction of natural resources and increased pollution of water supplies in the United States. In the article “Sometimes it smells like a barn coming out of the faucet: overpopulation in America” Wooldridge argues that if limits are not put on immigration rates, the lack of resources and water pollution will only get worse.
According to the precautionary principle, the lack of scientific proof should not be a reason to delay taking action. Wooldridge uses the precautionary principle, and urges that the government “must enact a ‘U.S. Sustainable Immigration Policy’ of less than 100,000 annually.” (Wooldridge 2009) He argues that if we don’t take action now, overpopulation will grow “worse as we add 3.4 million people to the U.S. annually, predominantly by immigration.” (Wooldridge 2009) He claims that the extra population increases waste that could pollute our waters, and our resources are being used at a faster rate.
The argument could be made that instead of limiting immigration we should adopt new water filtration methods to ensure that our water is clean. This method would require an unrealistic about of money to introduce nationwide. Others may say that those immigrants are escaping harsh lives, and they deserve to have equal life quality. We will not be able to offer them a “new life” if we have polluted waters, excess waste, and minute amounts of resources. North America will become just as bad as the nation they are escaping.
There is no scientific evidence to prove that overpopulation causes these negative effects, but it can be seen more and more as the years pass and our population grows. This evidence is reason enough to take action before it is too late.
Reference
Wooldridge, F (2009, September 21). Sometimes it smells like a barn coming out of the faucet: overpopulation in America. Retrieved from http://www.opednews.com/articles/2/Sometimes-it-smells-like-a-by-Frosty-Wooldridge-090918-686.html
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Pat, your Title is very good, I think it makes readers interested right away which is always good in writing. Although Wooldridge seems to have a plan for controling overpopulation, it sounds like it is only for the U.S., and keeping would-be immigrants out of the americas will not stop them from procreating. If in the future the world's resources are depleted, immigration laws will not be enough to keep millions of starving people out of the States. Although Wooldridge does not seem to acknowledge the root of the problem, I think your blog was well written and very interesting, good job Pat.
ReplyDeleteI must say that the immigration policies could help control the overpopulation woes. I'll have to agree with rachel and wished that Wooldridge would not focus squarely on the US, because the main problem of overpopulation are in the least developed countries. Something like > 90% of the population growth will be in developing countries. Overall, well written article.
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