The population recently reached the 7 billion mark and discussion about the footprint that this population will leave has been heatly debated by scientist, as well as government official.  The solution resolve remains unresolved.

            In an editorial published in June 2010, approximately one year ago, the authors discuss the global over-population and the environmental and human rights aspects. The population debate is stuck in a stalemate between two well-meaning camps; conservationists, who saw increasing numbers of human encroaching on nature and Third World advocates; who rightly point out that most of humanity’s burden on the planet originates with a relative few. (Bauerlein, Jeffrey, 2010, p4-4).

            One important realization is that women play a major role in the population growth and the involvement and empowerment of women is key to protecting the environment and improving human rights.

            Every tiny improvement in the status of women, every bit of education for girls, translates into women having more control over their fertility, which translates into family sizes that match parents’ means and wishes, which in turns means more opportunity for the nest generation – a virtuous cycle of enormous potential (Bauerlein, Jeffrey,  2010, p4-4).

              A woman’s understanding of their rights to decide when they should conceive and how many children they can adequately care for has to be the number one issue.  Bringing children into an already poverty stricken family only continues the cycle of despair and a future of the same.

            Now with the population at 7 billion it is even more critical to educate women about their ability to make decision about their bodies.  In a recently article on CNN Opinion, Ted Turner (Founder and Chairman of the United Nations Foundation) expressed his concerns for global over population.

“We must assure that children will be born in a safe world with food, water for all.  Women want access to contraception for their families, health and their babies.” 

            Mr. Turner goes on to talk about making the investment in the education and access too birth control for women,  and what the return will mean to the health of our world. 

Turner:   “International family planning funds are crucial, cuts cost more in the long run.  The time is now.  The investment we make today will shape the world we leave the next generation.  If the United States wants to maintain its global leadership role, we must be thinking and make smart investments that will help us address both current and future responsibilities.  The best way to do this is to listen to women and fund international family planning.  Our future depends on it.”

            Women’s role in the future of our world has always been important, it seems

only now that importance is being recognized.  We (women) are not only the bearers

of life, but now bear the responsibility of making sure that that life inherits the best

world possible.  This is a responsibility I know we are capable of accomplishing. 

Bauerlein, M & Jeffrey, C. (2010, May/Jun). Too Many? Too Much?

Mother Jones. Vol. 35. Issue 3, P4-4.   http://libproxy.mcla.edu:2070

Turner, T. (2011, October). 7 Billion Reasons to Empower Women. CNN Opinion.

            http://www.cnn.com/2011