Why do some environmental organisations avoid or oppose discussion of the population problem?
For several reasons. One is that they may have a specific environmental problem to tackle and want to stick to their brief (for example, protecting endangered species), while leaving others to campaign on root causes such as overpopulation and overconsumption. Another reason is political correctness – touching on the sensitive subjects of procreation and migration can unleash emotional reactions and threaten sources of funds. (OPT is a small independent organisation in which no-one is paid for their work, and therefore does not have to suppress facts or controversy.) Campaigning in this area is therefore seen as an unnecessary risk for even those organisations that admit privately that population growth is a huge and fundamental environmental problem. UK public opinion indicates that these issues should not be suppressed – and since 2003 rational discussion has not been stifled. Another reason is ‘population problem denial’ – the belief that population numbers have no connection with e
