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Population Report Edition I: 2006 Printer-friendly version of this page Let's Get Active! News From Capitol Hill Feature Story In the Spotlight Let's Get Active Resources Activists in Action Check out Activists in Action and find out how population activists from around the country are taking action in their communities. Read their stories about why they became involved with Sierra Club's Global Population and Environment Program! Ramona Rex Aloha, Oregon Growing up in Oregon, I was introduced to the wonders of nature while on outings to the ocean's shore, rivers and mountains. As a teenager, I was proud of the environmental laws Oregon adopted to protect our seashore and precious farm and forestlands. There was open space everywhere, and room to roam in the Wild West. Things are changing here out West, however, as more people move in every year. Washington County, where I live, experienced over 42% growth in the period of the last census, 1990 to 2000. When I learned that the world's population had doubled in my lifetime, and could potentially double again in 50 years, I was interested in learning more about the issue and how I could help. I joined the Columbia Group Sierra Club population committee in 2000. Shortly after getting involved, I called Laurie Mignone, Conservation Organizer with the Sierra Club's Global Population and Environment, for information. To my surprise, she invited me to a population activist training in Washington, D.C. It was a delight to attend the seminars and meet so many like-minded people who wanted to make the world a better place. I learned that population is a global and a local issue, and there are several positive steps that can be taken to slow population growth. Educating girls, empowering women, providing economic opportunity, and access to a wide range of contraceptives can help bring the human population into balance with the rest of the natural world. Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to the Philippines along with activists from Audubon, National Wildlife Federation, and the Izaak Walton League, to see population, health and environment programs in action. One of the sites we visited was tiny Gilutongan Island, located off the island of Cebu. Villagers there had been over fishing the island's reef, threatening their major source of income. They were offered micro credit to start a seaweed farming operation. Now, marine life is thriving on Gilutongan's reef, and divers and snorkelers are paying to view the wonders of the Gilutongan Marine Reserve. A midwife is available at a health clinic to help couples choose when and how many children they have. Contraceptives are available at a local woman-owned store. Where the outlook for the community was once questionable, hope abounds. As a Sierra Club population activist, I share stories like the one from the Philippines through talks to local community organizations, articles in local publications, tabling, and visits to elected officials. Support of population, health, and environment programs can bequeath future generations a world with abundant water, food, wildlife and opportunity. Ramona Rex talking about population and the environment in Portland. Photos courtesy Ramona Rex, used with permission. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club