Population Matters

Below is an editorial that was published in the journal Conservation Biology. I had had a dream of publishing something about human population’s effect on the natural world in Conservation Biology for years. Two articles were rejected and I was dejected. Then the journal’s new editor, Erica Fleishman, gave me the opportunity I was hoping [...]

How will this Halloween be different from any other Halloween? A singular event will happen this October 31st. That is the day demographers predict a very special baby will be born—the Earth’s 7 billionth citizen! She will probably arrive in a developing country, because that is where most of the planet’s babies are born. What [...]

I spent five minutes pulling the starter cord and adjusting the choke and throttle on the little pump without a whimper of a start. Then I realized that it would help to turn the switch to “on”. In addition to the Four Corners Folk Festival, I spent much of this past Labor Day weekend at [...]

There is something you can do that is likely to make you happier, healthier, save money and lessen your impact on the planet. What is it? Consume less by practicing simpler living. I usually focus on human population growth, but consumption is an issue that affects our impact on the planet just as much. A [...]