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Home » Social Justice » Social Justice Statements » Current Study/ Action Issues » Proposed CSAI—Families, Population, and the Environment

Proposed CSAI—Families, Population, and the Environment

Issue

The world's human population continues to grow. Yet millions live in poverty and many, both young and old, have been abandoned. What moral responsibility do people have to each other and to future generations? We ask for a new conversation about families and family planning, population growth, and the environment.

Grounding in Unitarian Universalism

Unitarian Universalists bring human rights concerns and environmental protection concerns together. One of our Association's principles calls attention to the interdependent web of existence. Other principles affirm the worth and dignity of every individual and the need for justice for all.

Topics for Congregational Study

• Are there too many people in the world? Listen to different points of view. Some leaders say that the human population can be much increased. Should there be limits to population growth? If so, what programs do you propose and support?
• Discuss the "carrying capacity" and "sustainable development" concepts.
• Consider family planning, access to health care services, sexuality education, marriage and adoption rights, the empowerment of girls and women, and related subjects. What moral guidelines, if any, should guide the population issues discussion?
• Family structures are changing. As you discuss families and family planning, consider the needs of single parents, adoptive parents and guardians, same-gender couples, and others who have sometimes been overlooked in "family values" discussions. How can congregations be helpful?
• Life expectancy is increasing. How can congregations care for an aging population?
• Consider the role of women and girls in population management and sustainable development. Review the work of the United Nations since its 1994 International Conference on Population and Development. Discuss the significance of the Millennium Development Goals and the Earth Charter.
• Does the world exist for humanity alone? What moral responsibility, if any, do human beings have to protect biodiversity?

Possible Congregational/District Actions

• Support Planned Parenthood and reproductive and sexual health services in North America and in other parts of the world.
• Support the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program and similar programs for sexuality education.
• Review the "family values" discussion. Discuss the needs of different kinds of families. Develop congregational programs that can assist families with adoption, parenting, and care for elders.
• Work for marriage and adoption rights for same-gender couples.
• Reclaim Father's Day and Mother's Day and celebrate these holidays in appropriate ways. Honor biodiversity and the teaching of evolution with religious activities.
• Expand your understanding of "stewardship." Become a Green Sanctuary congregation. Demonstrate the appropriate use of water, energy, and other resources. Lead by example on a crowded planet.

Related Prior Social Witness Statements

• Endorse the Earth Charter—2002 Action of Immediate Witness
• Population and Development—1996 General Resolution
• Sexuality Education in Public Schools—1994 Action of Immediate Witness
• Environmental Justice—1994 General Resolution
• Choices Affecting Population—1990 General Resolution
• Amerasian Children—1983 General Resolution
• Women and Religion—1977 Business Resolution
• Federal Legislation for Choice—1973 General Resolution
• Discrimination Against Homosexuals and Bisexuals—1970 General Resolution
• Concern for Older Adults—1966 General Resolution

Additional Information

Are there too many people in the world?

On October 31, 2011, the world's human population reached seven billion, according to the United Nations Population Fund. In 1930, the world's human population was an estimated two billion. So the size of the human population has more than tripled in about eighty years and the human population continues to grow. High birth rates, in some parts of the world, combined with decreased infant mortality rates and increased life expectancy, in many regions, help to explain population growth during recent decades.

There is little disagreement about the size of the human population, but the question remains, "Are there too many people in the world?" It's possible that the world can support a human population of ten billion, or fifteen billion, or even more. However, many natural resources, such as water and fossil fuels, are finite. If worldwide oil production peaks during the next thirty years, while the human population is expanding and the developing nations are industrializing, the results may be cataclysmic. The Earth has a limited supply of fresh water and increased competition for water can also produce social conflict.

Each year, an estimated 38% of the pregnancies in the world are unplanned, according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute. Unwanted pregnancies often produce unwanted children, and, in the poorest regions of the world, unwanted children are often abandoned and easily exploited and abused. UNICEF can only estimate that there are "tens of millions" of street children in the world. Abandoned children often become criminals, child soldiers, factory or farm workers, or prostitutes.

The world's human population is aging. Life expectancy is increasing in many nations. When available, data shows that poverty among older persons is higher than for young adults. As North America's population grows older, the question in many congregations and communities is becoming, "How do we care for people who are past the age of 60?"

The pollution of the oceans, the loss of wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and the climate change problem, have all been documented by agencies like the United Nations Environment Programme. The World Wide Fund for Nature estimates that 10-30% of the mammals, birds, and amphibians on planet Earth are threatened with extinction, because of human activities. Discussions about human population growth often focus on human concerns. However, there is a need, also, to ask the question, "What moral responsibility, if any, do human beings have to other species and to the whole of the natural world?"

In 1994, the United Nations coordinated the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, Egypt. What developed at the Cairo conference changed the population growth discussion for many participants. United Nations reports noted that birth rates decline, and family life improves, as women gain more control over their lives, and as they rise above the poverty level. In the year 2000, the Millennium Development Goals and the Earth Charter appeared. Both statements express concern for social justice and the whole community of life. The Earth Charter was endorsed by the General Assembly in 2002.

The Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office represents Unitarian Universalists at the United Nations.

The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice includes a variety of member groups, including the Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation. The Religious Coalition looks beyond the abortion debate to seek solutions to pressing problems such as unintended pregnancy, the continued spread of HIV/AIDS, inadequate health care and health insurance, and the severe reduction in reproductive health care services in the United States. The Religious Coalition supports access to sexuality education, family planning services, and adoption services for all people, regardless of income.

The Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the American affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. The International Federation has member agencies in 149 nations. Planned Parenthood is the largest provider of reproductive health care services in the United States.

Other organizations that are concerned about population issues and reproductive health care services include Population Connection, Pathfinder International, and Population Action International.

The Sierra Club is one of the environmental protection organizations that is involved with population issues.
The Sierra Club's Global Population and Environment Program acknowledge the complex relationships that involve humans, their health, and their environment. The Sierra Club is concerned about biodiversity issues and sustainable development. It has expressed support for the Millennium Development Goals.

In 1991, the first edition of the Green Sanctuary handbook was published. The Green Sanctuary program is an environmental action program for congregations. The program is managed by the Unitarian Universalist Association's Congregational Stewardship Services department.

The Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry affirms the inherent worth and dignity of all beings. The Unitarian Universalist Ministry For Earth is involved with environmental justice projects in congregations and districts.

Same-gender couples often feel excluded from "family values" and family planning discussions. In most parts of the world, marriage rights are denied to same-gender couples and it's difficult for same-gender partners to establish a family with adopted children. Planning for retirement and elder care can be difficult for a same-gender couple. Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) works for marriage and adoption rights for same-gender couples. The Family Equality Council assists lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) headed families at all stages of life. The Human Rights Campaign is involved with civil rights issues.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Ministries, a department of Multicultural Growth and Witness, serves the Unitarian Universalist Association and its member congregations.

The Religious Institute has reviewed many of the sexuality-related policies and programs established by the Unitarian Universalist Association. The Our Whole Lives (OWL) program is a joint program for sexuality education developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ.

Contact

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth, MA

For more information contact socialwitness @ uua.org.

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Last updated on Thursday, November 3, 2011.

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