PREFACE: Priority Statement on Population and the Environment

(Signed by thousands of major organizations, world leaders, and individuals worldwide)

"Among the most important issue s affecting the world's future is the rapid growth of human population. Together, the increase in population and in resource consumption are basic causes of human suffering and environmental degradation and must become major priorities for action at all levels.

Because of its pervasive and detrimental impact on global ecological systems, population growth threatens to overwhelm any possible gains made in improving human conditions. Failure to curb the rate of world population growth will magnify the deterioration of the Earth's environment and natural resources, and undermine economic and social progress. A human, sustainable future depends on recognizing the common ground between population and the environment."

Current efforts to address the world's rapidly expanding population are not sufficient. A new commitment to population programs which enhance human rights and conditions is urgently needed."

I. Current State

POSITIVES: There is reasonably good access to family planning, reproductive choice and related maternal/ child health services in Santa Cruz County (SCC), with many dedicated, high-quality providers. There is generally strong support for family health education in schools among school boards, parents and administrators. There are excellent teacher training programs and classroom resources available locally. There has been a good beginning on population education in schools. There is strong environmental interest and popular/political support for choice, and excellent framework for networking. Good statistics are available on local population trends, access to services, pregnancy rates, etc., through a variety of public agencies.

NEGATIVES: County population may be approaching the area's carrying capacity. There are inadequate financial resources to provide all needed services. The delivery of health care is far from optimal; systems are currently undergoing rapid change. There is a high pregnancy rate among Latino teens. Teenagers and Spanish-speaking women particularly may find conventional health providers intimidating. Radical political opposition (especially at state and national levels) threatens legal status and funding for services. The link between population and unsustainable patterns of consumption is not widely understood; there is limited awareness of population as a fundamental environmental threat. A recent survey at the UCSC campus by Tess Bridgeman showed that only half of 60 students polled believe that population is a serious problem.

Every 15 seconds another 45 people arrive on the planet, during the same 15 seconds, the planet's stock of arable land declines by one hectare.' According to the Census Bureau, the U.S. population increased by an estimated 2.3 million people in 1996, with immigration accounting for one-third of the jump. California population has more than doubled over the past 35 years, with SCC population almost tripling to an estimated 243,000 in 1996.

II. Desired State

We envision a future in which:

• people of all nations understand and take personal responsibility for the connection between reproductive decisions and world population pressures.
• all individuals have full access to the information and services they need to achieve reproductive choice.
• research into human reproduction and social psychology improves the effectiveness of voluntary family planning efforts.
• population stabilization and access to reproductive choice become priority issues for national and international leaders.
• improvements in the status of women create a positive climate for effective voluntary family planning.

We recognize that population issues are inseparably linked to many other factors including political environment, culture, and levels of consumption. A sustainable world population is one which does not diminish the planetary resource base and life support systems for present and future generations, nor jeopardize other species. The ideal environment conducive to population stabilization is one of equity, justice, and civil liberty. Lower levels of population growth cannot be achieved unless women have educational, economical, legal and social equality - basic human rights.

We encourage average family size that leads to population stabilization, involving full access to services and positive incentives. In order to be truly accessible, reproductive health options must be legal, free or affordable, conveniently located, and culturally sensitive; they must include a range of safe, effective and convenient methods of family planning, access to basic prenatal care, and safe, legal abortion.

There must be adequate funding and positive policies to actively promote voluntary family planning programs both domestically and internationally. Family planning must be seen as a natural element of economic development, social justice and public health programs.

III. Goals for the year 2000

A. Adequate funding for family planning/reproductive health services.

B. Integration of population studies, family planning, and sexuality education into appropriate school curricula

C. Pro-choice majority among elected officials at all levels.

D. Integration of family planning services into mainstream health care systems.

E. U.S. involvement in pro-active international population programs.

F. Aggressive research on new birth control methods that are safe and effective.

IV. What Has Been Done

A. Local schools are utilizing education programs on population & the environment; ZPG does a great deal of this.

B. Local schools incorporate curricula on human sexuality, family planning, etc. at many grade levels, 6-12; Planned Parenthood works closely with local districts. ETR Associates is an excellent source of training and materials.

C. There is a strong and well-connected network of local health care providers who offer affordable, accessible, culturally sensitive reproductive health services regardless of clients' age, cultural background, citizenship or economic status. (e.g. County Health Services Agency, Choice Medical Group, Planned Parenthood, Women's Health Center, Salud Para la Gente, and private providers)

D. The Reproductive Rights Network of Santa Cruz County is a strong local coalition including all key local providers and advocates of reproductive choice, which coordinates action on priority issues. This group and its member organizations are active in advocating for public policies that will ensure the legal status of services, freedom from violence or harassment, and adequate funding levels.

E. International Health Programs provides training for family planning professionals from developing nations worldwide, utilizing local agencies as training resources. We have an international resource in our own community.

F. Ongoing, strong grassroots support for reproductive choice has resulted in pro-choice elected officials at all levels, from local school boards to federal elected officials. Local advocates maintain steady pressure on proposed legislation that would reduce, eliminate or promote reproductive choice.

V. Suggested Actions for Further Progress

A. Support for reconsideration the statement submitted by Sierra Club to the Board of Supervisors in '92 for implementation under Measure C ('Decade of the Environment Measure"), which recommends that:

1. the county institute an intensive and broad-based educational program directed at county residents regardless of economic or educational level (including schools) designed to increase their awareness of the direct relationship between large family size and the adverse consequences of population growth along with the advantages of small size and zero population growth.
2. the county develop an adequate means of assessing and monitoring local population changes due to all major contributing factors (i.e. immigration from other counties, states, countries, and residential child-bearing) plus all environmental damage which results from any population increases - updated periodically, a basis for formulating population-related policies, and available to the public for review.
3. the county develop a plan to stabilize population as soon as possible - updated periodically, a basis for formulating population-related policies, and available to the public for review.

B. Convene a forum or town meeting on the diverse issues and impacts of population growth in our county; additional forums may be planned to gather input and resolve other related issues.

C. Sponsor teach-ins, lectures, forums, seminars and debates on local growth, national and global population, environmental, and women's reproductive rights issues. Reach out to service clubs and organizations as well as the general public.

D. Lobby for:

1. an increase in funding for the United Nations Population Fund.
2. inclusion of free contraceptives and family planning programs to countries that request them as part of U.S. foreign aid programs.
3. U.S. and state funds to be made available to supply contraceptives and sterilizations to those who desire but cannot afford them.
4. increased support for education for both men and women regarding family planning and the use of contraceptives.
5. expansion of U.S. support for the development of safer, more effective contraceptives for both men and women.
6. local schools to expand curricula on human sexuality, family planning, and the effects of population growth - to be taught in part at each grade level with an overall comprehensive design which includes teaching the benefits and practice of abstinence.

VI. Useful Resources & References

• Advocates for Youth - Nationally: 1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005; Tel: (202) 347-5700.
• Alan Guttmacher Institute - provides national data on pregnancies and abortions. Nationally: 120 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005; Tel: (212) 248-1111.
• Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) - prepares population & employment forecasts for Santa Cruz, Monterey, & San Benito Counties. P.O. Box 838, Marina, CA 93933; Tel: (408) 883-3750; Fax: 883-3755.
• Catholics for a Free Choice - Nationally: 1436 U St. NW, Suite 301, Washington, DC 20009; Tel: (202) 986-6093.
• International Health Programs - provides the training for health care professionals from developing countries to administer family planning programs. 210 High St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060; Tel: (408) 427-4965; Fax: (408) 458-3659
• Planned Parenthood - provides direct services, reference library, & advocacy. Locally: 1119 Pacific Ave. #200, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; Tel: (408) 425-1551. State: Planned Parenthood Affiliate of California, 555 Capitol Mall, Suite 510, Sacramento, CA 95814-4502 Tel: (916) 446-5247; Fax: (916) 441-0632; Web: http: / /www.ppacca.org (Provides lobbying & is a good source of California's statistics; office only, no direct service) National offices: Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., 810 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10018; Tel: (212) 541-7800; Fax: (212) 245-1845; Web: http: / /ppfa.org/ppfa 1120 Connecticut N.W., Washington, DC 20036; Tel: (202) 785-3351; Fax: (202) 293-4349.
• Population Institute - Nationally: 107 Second St., N.E., Washington, DC 20002; Tel: (202) 544-3300; Web: http://www.populationinstitute.org
• Reproductive Rights Network - provides a coalition of forty local organizations working together to protect access to reproductive choice and health care. Locally: 212 Laurel St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060; Tel: (408) 425-1551.
• Santa Cruz Health Services Agency - provides family planning services & is a good source for county data. 1080 Emeline Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95061; Tel: (408) 454-4490; Fax: 454-4488
• ZPG (Zero Population Growth) - provides lobbying and fact sheets.
• Locally: C/O Dan and Pat Miller, 735 Cathedral Dr., Aptos, CA 95003; Tel: (408) 688-3792. Nationally. 1400 16th St. NW, #320, Washington, DC 20036; Tel: (800) 767-1956; Fax: (202) 332-2302; Web: http://www.zpg.org/zpg

Documentation

1 Norman Myers, "The Big Squeeze",Earthwatch, Nov/Dec.,'93.

Contributors: Chairperson Cynthia Mathews, Dan Miller, Susie Waldron, Rashmi Mayur, Ph.D., Dave Rivard, Elizabeth Jones, Alena Smith, Pat Kittle, Covey Potter, Mike Ossipoff, Jerry Simpson, Rob Wheeler, Maureen Smith, Lotus Maynor, David Meigs, Heidi Wehmeyer, Theodore Kerry, Orly Heyman-Bole, Marilyn Hummel, Susan Russell, Bruce Bridgeman, & Daniel Robin. (Compiled & edited by Jeanne Nordland)