POPULATION POLICY
Policy Statement
It shall be the policy of Sierra Club, Hawai`i Chapter, to support actions that will stabilize the population of Hawai`i in order to avoid exceeding the carrying capacity of the state's limited natural resources.
Supporting Statements/Assumptions
* People are depleting natural resources and destroying ecosystems.
* Destruction of ecosystems and the environment (1) causes suffering and (2) is inimical to the continuation of human and other life on Earth.
* A need exists to cease the destruction of and to begin the rehabilitation of ecosystems and environments.
* The cause of human suffering and the destroyed environment is partially attributable to excessive resource consumption and inequitable distribution of resources.
* A major cause of excessive resource consumption is the increase in human population that has been occurring over the past 200 years.
* A humane and sustainable future depends on stabilizing population and reducing excessive consumption.
* Failure to curb world population growth will magnify the deterioration of Earth's environment and natural resources and will undermine economic progress and social justice.
* Failure to seriously reform social and economic institutions will result in continued population growth.
* All environmental efforts (e.g., conservation, recycling, preserving and restoring ecosystems, and saving species) will be negatively affected by growing populations.
* Overpopulation and excessive consumption are the most critical factors in causing the environmental degradation of Earth.
* The population of Earth already may have exceeded its carrying capacity.
This Population Policy Statement was approved by the Sierra Club Hawai`i Chapter Executive Committee at its quarterly meetings held January 24-26, 1992. The Supporting Statements were approved by the Sierra Club Hawai`i Chapter Executive Committee at its quarterly meetings held October 28-30, 1994.
SIERRA
CLUB, HAWAI`I CHAPTER
W - O - R - K - S - H - E - E - T
POPULATION COMMITTEE MISSION, GOALS & STRATEGIES
Mission
*Educate the members of Sierra Club Hawai`i Chapter and the people of Hawai`i about the impact of human population on all life, and work to stabilize the population of Hawai`iŅi.
Goals
*Enact new legislation and programs that encourage population stabilization and that penalize population growth.
*Retain existing legislation that encourages population stabilization and discourages population growth.
*Repeal existing legislation that encourages population growth.
*Establish successful working relationships with other organizations and individuals that have objectives of limiting population growth.
Strategies
*Develop the Hawai`i Chapter Population Committee with representation from the Hawai`i Regional Groups.
*Network with organizations that are focused on the environment.
*Provide guest speakers on population issues.
*Lobby Government and community leaders.
*Participate in the legislative process by proposing and/or taking positions on relevant legislation by testifying and lobbying.
*Support population stabilization in Pacific Rim countries.
*Identify and advertise the adverse impacts on the environment, natural resources, and quality of life of Hawai`i that are caused by a large and/or growing population.
*Increase taxes on environmentally unsound commodities and activities.
*Avoid subsidizing the true cost of activities, facilities or products that promote population growth.
*Initiate carrying capacity studies for each of the islands of Hawai`i regarding water supplies, watersheds, waste disposal, open space, tourism, etc.
*Develop a prepared talk, including visual displays and handouts, to be given before schools and community organizations.
*Make population an issue for all elections.
*Coordinate efforts with ZPG O`ahu Chapter.
*Analyze the pro-growth mentality.
*Publish articles on population related issues in every issue of Malama.
