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Framework of the Future

Several years ago I gave a presentation called “Geo Destinies in the Coming Age of Geo Scarcity.” It was, of course, inspired by the seminal research and writing about depletion of the petroleum and minerals geologist Walter Youngquist. At the outset of my talk, I extolled his landmark 1997 book Geodestinies: The Inevitable Control of Earth Resources Over Nations and Individuals. …

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Growth of Foreign-Born Population Surges as U.S. Economy Recovers

Census projections proclaim that, with Americans’ fertility falling and deaths soon to begin rising, immigration – not natural increase – will become the principal driver of U.S. population growth as early as 2023 (Rubenstein, 2016).
A September 2014 Census projection estimated that, despite some slowing growth attributed to the 2008 recession and aftermath, …

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Crushing Biodiversity with the Weight of the Human Race

BIODIVERSITY – DISPATCH FROM THE FRONTLINES
Some years ago, as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras I was invited to help lead a fact-finding mission into the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve. The Río Plátano (Plantain River) flows through the green, humid heart of an isolated region called La Mosquitia – the largest remaining rainforest wilderness of this ecologically-stressed Central American nation…

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THE SINGULAR CENTURY

  Your gift helps publish and distribute materials like this. Click here for a downloadable, printable PDF version THE SINGULAR CENTURY There are major turning points in human history. Of special importance have been the transition from a hunter/gatherer existence to a settled agricultural economy, and the beginning of the Industrial Age which transition continues. These turning points have for …

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Sanctuary Cities: Politics Overshadow Responsible U.S. Immigration Policies (An NPG Position Paper)

Your gift helps publish and distribute materials like this. Click here for a downloadable, printable PDF version EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In recent years, America’s radio stations, televisions, newspaper headlines, and magazine covers have been inundated with talk of “sanctuary cities.” Experts on both sides of the argument have proclaimed their position – it’s the “absolutely right” or “absolutely wrong” thing for …

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OVERPOPULATION: THE ULTIMATE EXPLOITER

All are welcome and all are invited – especially those who care about leaving the world in better shape than we found it. Every problem is affected by this great exploiter. Overpopulation diminishes our resources, landscapes, water supply, and the ability of our climate to regulate itself. Our poor and disenfranchised are overwhelmed by this issue, as it swims in ridiculous taboos. …

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The Impact of Refugees on the Size and Security of the U.S. Population

Your gift helps publish and distribute materials like this. Click here for a downloadable, printable PDF version THE IMPACT OF REFUGEES ON THE SIZE AND SECURITY OF THE U.S. POPULATION An NPG Forum Paper by Edwin S. Rubenstein Since the end of World War II, the United States has provided a safe haven for many oppressed peoples. The Displaced Persons …

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The Scale of Things and Demographic Fatigue

Your gift helps publish and distribute materials like this. Click here for a downloadable, printable PDF version THE SCALE OF THINGS AND DEMOGRAPHIC FATIGUE An NPG Forum Paper by Walter Youngquist The earth is straining under a demographic assault on a scale never before seen. The overwhelming scale of its problems comes from resource demands of continued population growth, the …

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The Negative Economic Impact of Immigration on American Workers

We are a nation of immigrants: except for American Indians, we or our ancestors left other countries for a better life in the United States. For much of our history, immigration was good for the economy. Compared to Europe, the U.S. was well endowed with land and capital but relatively short of labor. By populating the frontier, increasing the size of the market economy, and adding valuable skills and expertise to the native workforce, successive waves of foreign workers enhanced the living standards of earlier immigrants as well as their U.S.-born children…

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Reflections on Sustainability, Population Growth, and the Environment

Click here for a downloadable, printable PDF version Reflections on Sustainability, Population Growth, and the Environment A Note from NPG With the death in early September 2013 of Professor Al Bartlett at age 90, NPG – along with all others fighting for population limits that ensure a sustainable environment and lasting resource base for the future – lost an irreplaceable …

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