An interesting phenomenon has been observed in mound-building termites as related by Dr. Lewis Thomas, physician/author, in "The Lives of a Cell"
(Viking Press, 1974). When the numbers of these termites are low, they exhibit a helter-skelter activity, each going about its business in a
fashion unrelated to the activity of the others. But upon reaching a certain number in population, their activities begin to coordinate toward
the building of their great, intricately-complex mounded structures. The group becomes of one mind. Each individual is important as a singular
part of the greater whole, as united functioning only comes about upon reaching "critical mass." Does this offer insight regarding human population?
Native American wisdom teaches that no concept or idea can be regarded as "truth" unless it is observed in nature. Humans are not insects.
Indeed, to the Earth body we are more an AIDS virus, but the point is the lesser often reflects the greater. Is it possible we humans are
each neurons in a great mind? To build the "mound" which is our destiny, are we required to reach a critical population mass?
Here we encounter difficulty. Ancient wisdom says, "Be fruitful and multiply." We seem to take that to mean multiply our divisions.
Proclamations of modern wise ones, ex-spurts, tell us we must limit our numbers. Much credence is given that opinion, based on the many
campaigns to reduce our species. In a recent edition of the eco-radical "Earth First!", director of ZPG (Zero Population Growth) for Los
Angeles called for a moratorium on all births and the addition of birth control elements to the drinking water. Studies have indicated the
sperm-reducing properties of cottonseed oil, now used in processed foods. Estimates are that one-third of American males are sterile.
Can equality for women be far behind? Chemical and radioactive wastes effectively reduce viability in industrial nations while undeveloped
countries (the source of much concern) receive banned chemical "products" and infant formulas for reforming formulations. This is not
suggesting conspiracy but rather a need for reassessment.
Calls for population limits are based on fears that there will not be enough to go around. The strongest voices are those living in
excess of what is required to meet the need for life. Inequity is 6 percent of the human population consuming 35 percent of the available
energy. "It's God's blessing for being righteous," some say. So why are they so worried? Rather than battle over dwindling fuel reserves,
let's develop environmentally compatible energy sources, conserve energy and increase efficiency. Moderation and simplicity are keys.
Desires for centralized control through reduced individual self-sufficiency make these solutions unfavorable.
The Earth's capacity to support life depends on the strength of her life-force. Those who say the Earth hasn't enough are often the same ones
draining Her for profit and power. There is plenty of life-force left to heal (wait till you see Her sneeze!), so wrongly-directed human
activity primarily threatens our own existence. On an individual basis we can begin to strengthen the Earth's life-force in our own backyards.
Thoughtful gardening enhances the healing cycles, thereby building the life-force of the soil. The abundant rewards of food can be shared with
our neighbors. Like the termites, our efforts must begin on the ground.
But why make the effort when we are so well fed and living the "good life?" Conditions have a way of changing. How is your food self-sufficiency?
Or your community's? And what is being lost with the family farm? Who owns the seed companies? Are famines (like gas shortages) in your future?
And what of consuming in excess while others starve?
If we are each neurons in a collective brain or consciousness, then we are all linked. If any of the human family suffers lwe all feel that
suffering at some level. You may think, "That's their problem," but it is also your own.
For the master spirit of the earth shall not sleep peacefully upon the wind till the needs of the least of you are satisfied. --Gibran
Before a tree dies, it is often noted to bear great quantities of fruit (seed). Annual plants produce more seed than perennials to ensure
survival and adaptation. In times of war and great stress more babies are born. What force drives the instinctive response of greater
reproduction? Is it to fulfill our destiny? Presently, at five billion, we are beginning to sense the connection with our greater wholeness.
As population increases and we gain maturity, we will see more clearly in order to overcome the challenges which threaten our numbers.
Understanding will create sharing based not on enforced socialism but enlightened self-interest: one reaps what is sown, receives what is given.
The population bomb is a dud! The real fireworks come from lack of harmony between ourselves and the Mother which gives us life. Seeking the
healing solutions may well provide the groundwork of humankind's "mound."
A pearl is a temple built with pain around a grain of sand. What passion built our bodies and around what grain? -- Gibran
A man is wealthy in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone. -- Thoreau
Nature has enough to fulfill the needs of all but nothing to satisfy the greed of the few. -- Gandhi
Food is also cited as a limiting factor to population growth. But is the problem insufficient quantity or poor distribution? Vermin, insects
and spoilage destroy half of all food placed in storage. In some places, stockpiles of food are maintained for armies and governing elite,
never reaching the hungry masses. Has the need for food distribution been created by destruction of food self-sufficiency in developing countries
(to create new markets)? Ethiopia had record agricultural production according to some sources while its people starved. Farmers grew crops
for export (to pay for oil) instead of growing traditional staple food crops. According to "New Farm" (July/August 1983), small farms feed
the majority of the world's population. Thirty percent of the world's farmers have less than 11 acres; 35% have less than 2.5 acres. Together
this numbers over one billion farmers. Family farming is the most efficient. A family of six can provide for all its needs and receive cash
income on 2.5 acres. Elsewhere it is said a family of four can subsist on 1.25 acres. A population of five billion allows 7 acres of land
available per person. Granted, much of that land is not farmable, but the figures suggest a greater capacity of the Earth for human support
than some are leading us to believe.