Growing and still Growing

Population growth can be linked to the world's pollution problems. Managing one's carbon footprint is already a big deal what more adding a set of footprints everyday. Although conservation, environmental protection and awareness are regularly being discussed, the developments accomplished can be easily eroded if the population isn't managed.

People consume power and as population increases, the amount of energy consumed also increases. Overpopulation can be linked to the oil crisis. The biggest consumers of oil are the most populated countries. "Yes, we eat oil," according to a blogger from sustainablog.

Focusing on consumption over population and vice versa is not a solution to the problem. Managing both, experts say, is what the world needs. Clearly however, environmental-awareness efforts are partly solving the earth's problems.

According to GIM(Growth is Madness),

Here too, cleaner technologies will be an essential part of the solution. Moreover, the specter of climate change has brought about a new level of public awareness of the role of per capita energy use. We can hope this will slow rising energy consumption levels, at least somewhat. Clearly, though, it is imperative that we address our population growth as well if we are to have any hope of achieving ecological sustainability in the future.

There are more than 6 Billion people on the planet. Based on studies, the number will increase to 9 Billion. Of all the proposed solutions, education seems to be the most feasible one. A UN report affirms this in one of its recommendations: "The higher payoff to schooling in urban than rural areas is a key factor in inducing the migration of the better educated. In countries where economic growth has been moderate or strong, urban returns to schooling have been maintained, profoundly influencing decisions about investing on children’s schooling and family size.(85)" Well-managed urbanization, according to the report can alleviate the problems on poverty as well as population.

The rich source of knowledge and information shared on the Web on the population issue is an indicator of the need to provide the world with enough references on the matter. Education starts with the spreading of information. Education, it seems, is a good solution.

Bicycle Qs

How often do you ride a bicycle? This question from Mother Earth News propels this post.
I had to spend minutes to recall the last time I rode a bike. The answer: 2 months ago for leisure.

The question really makes sense. With the rising petrol prices, it's time people rethink their means of transportation. Riding bicycles is one of the best ways to reduce one's carbon footprint and to get a good exercise.

Guilt strikes me everyday. I drive to work and consume around a gallon (close to 4 liters). I catch myself checking the gauge and calculating how much money I lose as my fuel evaporates.

And I don't have much of a choice. Public transportation is not an alternative where I live and with the distance of the office from home, so is riding a bike.

I envy those who can choose. Those whose offices are minutes away from their homes or better yet those whose offices are in their homes!

Ride that bicycle.

Do you have one? In case you don't, here are other questions on how to choose a bike:

So, why do you want to ride — to exercise, commute to work, run errands or just for leisure? Where do you want to ride — potholed city streets, open roads, gravel bike trails, maybe a mix of environments? Finally, how do you like to ride — in an upright position, leisurely paced or always leaning forward, in race mode wherever you go?

(from Mother Earth News)