Why should SPA concern itself with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), only one of which relates to environmental sustainability? 

What have poverty, infant and maternal mortality, primary education, HIV/AIDS and gender equality got to do with population?

In January 2008, the UK Parliamentary Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health published a Report on the impact of global population growth on the MDGs. It concluded the MDGs will be impossible or difficult to achieve with current levels of population increase in the least developed countries. It found that no country, with the exception of a few oil-rich states, has risen from poverty while still having high fertility rates.

The Report found that population growth impacts on each of the MDGs, for instance, two million extra teachers a year are required to maintain existing standards of education with class sizes of 40 (MDG2 concerning universal primary education).

And now the IPCC warns that global warming will impact most heavily on the poor. As oil approaches US$100 a barrel, the spectre of Peak Oil has become reality and all economies are threatened.

On the 14th and 15th March 2008 Sustainable Population Australia Inc., held a very special Annual Conference. The Conference was the 20th Anniversary of AESP/SPA and was on the topic "Population, Peak Oil, Climate Change: their impact on the Millennium Development Goals".

The keynote speaker was Professor Guillebaud. Emeritus Professor of Family Planning and Reproductive Health at University College London. He has authored or co-authored seven books and more than 300 other publications, is Co-Chair of the Optimum Population Trust, acts as a consultant for WHO and is a member of other international and national expert committees. He was a leading contributor to the recent Inquiry by the UK Parliamentary Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health into “Population Growth: its impact on the Millennium Development Goals”. 

Other speakers include Professor Tony McMichael, Director of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, and Dr Colin Butler who also contributed to the UK report. 

The Conference was held at the Shine Dome, ANU Campus, Canberra and attracted some of the leading people in the world to talk on issues that affect the ability of our planet to sustain human life.

A list of the speakers and videos of each of their presentations can be selected from the full list below (presented on the Whyalla Vet website at http://www.whyallavet.com.au/Environmental%20Projects/populationgrowth.html );

Opening address:

Chair Jenny Goldie, Professor Frank Fenner and Lberal MP Mal Washer.

Keynote address:

Professor John Guillebaud of University College. London.

Professor Will Steffen, Australian National University. Global Change and the Earth system.

Katherine Wells. Australian Conservation Foundation. Population and Environmental Sustainability.

Mr. Bill Ryerson. Population Media Centre, Vermont. USA

Mr. Bob McMullan. MP for Canberra. Parliamentary Secretary for Overseas Aid and Development.

Ms. Jill Pettis. MP. Parliamentarians Group on Population and Development.

Sandra Kanck. MLC. Peak oil: is it states business?

Clive Hamilton: Dinner address at the Australian National University

Chair: Dr. Paul Collins.

Dr. Mary White. Palaeobotanist. Stop Mankind's Critical Damage to the Health of the Biosphere.

Professor Tony McMichael, Australian National University. Climate Change and the MDG's: Diversion or Subversion

Dr. Richard Denniss. Adviser, Greens Party. Are the MDG's sustainable?

Chair: Dr. John Coulter. SPA President.

Bruce Robinson. ASPO (Australia). Peak Oil impact on the MDG's.

Peter Strachan. Financial Analyst and Writer. Populaton, Peak Oil and Climate Change.

Dr. Paul Tranter ADFA, UNSW. Amonster problem or childs play? Coping with Peak oil.

Chair: Russell Rollason. UNAA.

Bishop George Browning. of the Anglican Church.

Dr. Paul Collins. The Planet Comes First: The New Moral Absolute.

Dr. Colin Butler. BODHI. A campaign of hope and a new world order.

Dr. John Coulter. Australian SPA President.