22 million people: A matter of national concern
Australia reaching a population of 22 million people some time today is
nothing to cheer about – rather it is a matter of national concern,
according to environment group, Sustainable Population Australia (SPA).
SPA’s national president, Sandra Kanck, says that Australians are
already living unsustainably, and adding more people adds to the problem.
“The current rate of population growth has us on course for a population
of 100 million by the end of the century, which hardly bears thinking about.
“There is a not a single environmental problem that benefits from
increased population growth. To the contrary, population growth makes
all environmental problems – and many social ones – much worse.
“Increases in greenhouse gas emissions almost directly parallel
population growth. As a nation we cannot claim in any way to be dealing
with the problem of climate change if we actively pursue increases in
population.
“It is nonsensical that Australia, with only six percent of its land
being arable, now has a population growth rate double that of other OECD
countries.
“Australia must stop encouraging population growth, cease the baby bonus
and reduce immigration” said Ms Kanck.