March 2009 Volume 14 Number 3

Breaking the taboo?

Environmentalists and campaigners are generally a pragmatic bunch, seeking out whatever opportunities arise to benefit projects and issues that lay close to their hearts. However, important work is being undermined by cultural taboos. During Stockholm World Water Week, the Prince of Orange, Chair of the United Nations Secretary General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, said that work to deliver sanitation was dragging woefully behind that for drinking water because open defecation was a taboo impinging both possible recipients of aid and those charged with meeting the commitments of the Millennium Development Goal on water and sanitation. In the meantime, while receivers and givers work to overcome their embarrassment, children are dying, women and girls are risking rape and losing out on an education.

Similarly, population is a thorny issue that most environmentalists ignore, despite it being a crucial factor in the majority of environmental issues - most critically climate change. Population increase is putting a huge strain on natural resources - a strain that is clearly unsustainable and is storing up misery for the millions who may come to face hunger, drought and war through the lack of any concerted effort to control fertility.

Discussion of efforts to control population is met with emotive examples on many fronts. For all the disturbing stories of imposed fertility programmes leading to abuse of human rights and even infanticide, there are many of good practice, empowering women to take control of their own fertility. Those of certain religious persuasions may find this difficult, but there is clear evidence that when given the choice, women opt to have fewer children, thereby reducing poverty and improving access to education. Whilst population may not be a comfortable subject for environmentalists, it is one that we cannot fail to ignore. In this edition of WEM Jonathon Porritt challenges us to face the issue, one which CIWEM has been working to push to the fore. The institution will be holding a debate lead by Jonathan Porritt on population and lifestyle on 12 March. To submit questions and engage in the debate email lorraine@ciwem.org. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

WEM is here to stimulate ideas and take part in environmental discourse. We welcome your views and encourage you to add to the mix and share your thoughts and experiences. We pride ourselves on being a magazine for free-thinkers!

 Erika Yarrow, Editor, WEM (Water & Environment Magazine) wemeditor@ciwem.org This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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