Most of us who are\nconcerned with environmental issues know that there is a strong correlation\nbetween population growth and environmental damage. Yet too few accept that\nimmigration per se effects the environment. Many argue that crossing a border\ndoes not mean there are more consumers or producers of waste \u2013 even though the\nnatural aspiration for a higher standard of living, which is often a major\nmotive for migrants – implies an increased impact on the environment by the\nmigrant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The current heat wave in\nthe northwest U.S. suggests that much more attention should be paid to the\nenvironmental consequences of large-scale immigration \u2013 the driving force\nbehind population growth in the U.S. The heat wave in the Northwest comes at a\ntime when the region\u2019s water resources are being depleted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Water is essential to life and has long been a flashpoint for conflict. The current tensions between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt over a new dam on the Nile in Ethiopia demonstrates awareness of that fact. Concern in the U.S. Midwest over the dropping water table in the Ogallala aquifer<\/a> is another example. It is true that more potable water can be extracted from salt water, but at great energy cost and negative impact on ocean life as salinization increases. It is also true that, in addition to curbing immigration-driven population growth, the United States must end inefficient and profligate water usage practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fundamentally, as\npopulation increases, water per capita decreases. With that in mind, all who\naccept responsibility for our impact on future generations should think twice\nabout accepting the arguments for increasing immigration as a means to maintain\nor increase population size. Reducing population increase, or allowing the\npopulation to decrease, is a banner that should be raised by all concerned\nenvironmentalists.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most of us who are concerned with environmental issues know that there is a strong correlation between population growth and environmental damage. Yet too few accept that immigration per se effects the environment. Many argue that crossing a border does not mean there are more consumers or producers of waste \u2013 even though the natural<\/p>\n