It’s Official!On May 1, 2002, Zero Population Growth became Population ConnectionI hope you all received a letter in early May from Peter Kostmeyer at National ZPG explaining the reasons for this big change. We here at the Monterey Bay Chapter are excited! Our name, Zero Population Growth, has been misconstrued for many years to mean things other than population stabilization. For over 30 years, ZPG has been educating the public and taking decisive action to make the all-important connection between rapid population growth and critical challenges facing our planet. As most of you know, the connection is lost on or denied by an all too large segment of the general public and elected officials. National ZPG thought long and hard about the pros and cons of changing our name. In the end, they decided that we must do everything possible to make the population connection apparent to people everywhere. For earth’s sake, we agree! — Linda Brodman Editor’s note: If you would like to comment on this new name and logo, go to the Population Connection Web site. Down on the right side of the page you will find a list of six choices all the way from “I hate it” to “I love it” with graded choices in between. You will also be able to check out what other people think about this change. While you’re there, take time to explore the rest of this useful site. — Coming Events —
Talk at the Monterey Humanist Club May 23 Dr. Bruce Bridgeman UCSC Professor of Psychology and Psychobiology Carmel Crossroads Community Room — 7pm
July 4: Watsonville Parade We have about thirty members living in Watsonville and it would be nice to have some participation. This year’s entry will be lots of fun and children are welcome. Call Pat Smith, 831-425-8599.
Chapter Action Since January
January 17: Chapter GoalsAt our annual planning meeting a discussion of 2001 local activities and National ZPG Goals for 2002 were reviewed. We developed our plan for 2002. It is enclosed for your input and so you will know what we are doing as a chapter. At our March meeting, we decided to evaluate these goals in June to see if we are on target. It is an ambitious agenda and we need your help, so give us a call! January 19 About 150 reproductive rights advocates celebrated the twenty-ninth anniversary of Roe v. Wade at the pro-choice brunch hosted by the Reproductive Rights Network of Santa Cruz County. Our chapter is a member of RRN and many of us attended. April 17: Cabrillo Health Fair Louise Doxtator and Pat Smith tabled at this annual fair and spoke to about fifty people. April 21: Earth Day, San Lorenzo Park, Santa Cruz Keresha Durham, Robbin Anderson and Linda Brodman spoke to about 200 people. We collected signatures for a petition to President Bush to repeal the Global Gag Rule. April 24: Earth Day, San Jose State University Approximately 75 people stopped by our booth and spoke with Linda Brodman and Robbin Anderson. The sunny warm weather attracted college students, professors,and even grammar school children to the outdoor event. In addition to educating the public on overpopulation, we were able to add 50 more signatures to our petition on the Global Gag Rule. The highlight of the day was an interview Linda had with Brenda Huang from the Sing Tao Daily, a newspaper serving the Chinese community. An exchange of population information from simple facts to real life experiences were shared. Brenda spoke about conditions in China and how living here in the states is so less crowded. Brenda relayed two stories. One, where buying a pair of shoes required waiting in a line full of people 5 feet deep by 15 feet wide. Brenda also told us that many times when she travels on a bus, people are squished together so close, that her feet are not touching the ground! We agreed overpopulation is the biggest problem facing humans, and the source of all our other problems. Yes, it was definitely a successful day and we plan on being there again next spring. 
School Presentations Dr. Bruce Bridgeman continues to speak in the schools about overpopulation problems and solutions. Check out his page here.
Monterey Bay Chapter Goals 2002
I. Discussion/Plan for Year 2002 (what we will continue to do)A. Education
B. Political Action
C. Media Outreach
D. Membership
E. Direct Action
F. Building Links
G. Public Events
II. Discussion/Plan for Year 2002 (what we can expand on after reviewing National ZPG goals) A. Education
B. Political Action
C. Media Outreach
D. Membership
E. Direct Action F. Building Links
G. Public Events
Human Race Walk-a-thon and Fundraiser
On a beautiful Saturday morning, May 11, three members started their 6-mile walk along West Cliff Drive about 8 am to raise money. A very satisfying morning walk for our three hardy souls, Pat, Linda, and Robbin. Many thanks for your contributions and to our loyal supporters who come through to sponsor us year after year. You make it possible to reach more people with our message. If you forgot to send in your contribution, it’s not too late. Just write a check to The Human Race and mail it to ZPG, P.O. Box 1733, Aptos, CA 95001. (We haven’t changed our name at the P.O. yet.)
Letter to the editor by Amelia Koenig Register-Pajaronian, Watsonville May 4, 2002 A big problem facing Watsonville The Register-Pajaronian almost daily carries articles about the desperate need for more housing but never addresses the cause of the problem — overpopulation. Our birth rate is soaring, and new residents arrive in the area daily. California’s population has shot up 42 percent over two decades and Watsonville’s is even higher. This is an extremely personal issue, but it is alarming because the entire community suffers the consequences. About one-third of Watsonville’s population is under the age of 18. These youngsters will drive cars when they are able to get a driver’s license. Can you imagine what Freedom Boulevard traffic will become, for example? Despite all the ingenuity of planners, the reality is that it will not be possible to build enough housing to accommodate this future growth. How desirable do you think this beautiful Pajaro Valley will be when today’s population has doubled, and traffic is choking the roads. Will the quality of life be better? Smaller families are better for everyone. Congratulations to Amelia Koenig, a Watsonville resident and one of our members, who sent this meaningful letter to the Register-Pajaronian. See how easy it is! Pick almost any news article that raises your dander and relate it to population. Make it short and to the point. Good NewsSierra Club members elected Ben Zuckerman in April to the Sierra Club National Board of Directors. Ben’s election will help bring population rationality and focus to the Board. Ben's candidate statement can be found here. Name our newsletterMonterey Bay Chapter Supports Codifying Roe v. Wade in Californiaby Royce A. FincherThe Constitutional protection of a woman’s right to choose abortion is thought by many to hinge on the political makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court. Should President Bush appoint a social conservative in the event of death or resignation of a current liberal supporter of Roe v. Wade, the decision could be overturned. Meanwhile, California currently has a legislature and governor supportive of choice. Hoping to take advantage of the current opportunity for our State, “The Reproductive Privacy Act” has been introduced by Senator Sheila Kuehl (Democrat: Los Angeles) as Senate Bill 1301. ZPG Monterey Bay Chapter is joining numerous others, particularly Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, in support of the legislation. SB 1301 would codify into California law the principals of Roe v. Wade. If thereafter, the U.S. Supreme Court should reverse Roe’s determination that a woman has a Constitutional right of privacy in seeking abortion, California law would provide such protection. California’s present law, the Therapeutic Abortion Act, was signed by then Governor Ronald Reagan in 1967. Many of its restrictions were subsequently held unconstitutional, but the Act itself has never been repealed, resulting in a cryptic, often inconsistent abortion code laden with constitutional problems. Kuehl’s proposal would treat abortion like other comparable medical procedures, eliminating today’s unnecessary regulation that doesn’t even apply to more complex medical procedures. Healthcare providers acting within their existing scopes of practice would perform and assist in both surgical and non-surgical abortions. SB 1301 will also provide greater access to early abortion methods like mifepristone (RU-486) by eliminating arbitrary barriers to treatment. SB 1301 would keep abortion safe and legal in California even if the Supreme Court overturns Roe. Editor’s note: Royce Fincher is the Legislative Chair for our chapter. He plans to meet with our legislators to let them know our position, and also keep us informed about how we can take action. Read the previous newsletter!
| |||||
