Number: 2004-05
WHEREAS, the earth’s human population continues to grow at an unprecedented, alarming rate: The 20th century began with fewer than 2 billion people, the 21st century started with over 6 billion, and we continue to add a billion people every 14 years; and
WHEREAS, the increased consumption of natural resources and accompanying pollution resulting from this spiraling population increase have serious environmental implications; and
WHEREAS, the population growth rate is highest in the world’s biodiversity “hotspots” – regions conservationists have deemed the richest in non-human species and most threatened by human activities; and
WHEREAS, experts estimate that 75 percent of total global forest decline occurred during the 20th century when population increased three-fold; and
WHEREAS, one-third of today’s population does not have access to safe and nutritious food and to meet the nutritional needs of projected population growth, the world’s food production would have to double by 2025; and
WHEREAS, the United Nations estimates that by 2050 two-thirds of the world’s population will live in water-scarce or water-stressed communities; and
WHEREAS, the most effective, comprehensive components for halting this trend by reducing or eliminating unplanned human pregnancies are now universally accepted to include supplying women, men and families worldwide with access to both the information and the voluntary family planning services they need to make responsible reproductive decisions, as well as education and health care for them and their children; and
WHEREAS, all nations are affected by population increases and their consequences, and those with developed economies — even those moving toward population stabilization — have a particular obligation to address this serious problem; and
WHEREAS, the Cairo Programme of Action agreed to by an historic consensus of 179 nations in 1994 recognized the threat of overpopulation as well as the imperative of a solution that includes women’s education and health care; and
WHEREAS, the United States, in keeping with its concern as a world citizen and its historical role as a leader in environmental conservation and the advancement of human rights was a strong participant in the Cairo process and a signatory to the consensus agreements; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. programmatic and financial commitments have waned, but the social and environmental emergencies of a growing population remain,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, at its annual meeting assembled March 11-13, 2004, in St. Louis, Missouri, hereby commemorates this 10th anniversary of the Cairo consensus by reaffirming the U.S. commitment to the goals, principles and financial commitments expressed in the Cairo Programme of Action; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation calls on all political parties in this election year to reaffirm the good-faith policy and financial support for the global population stabilization policies agreed to in Cairo and renew our commitments made there on behalf of worldwide ecosystems, and the people and wildlife whose survival depends upon natural resources being managed in a sustainable manner.