We each express "conservation" in different ways. Even with "Earth Day" though, there still is one area of "conservation" and acting responsibly to the environment that receives little attention: over-population. Mr. Marsala stated, "The earth's population has grown from 1.8 billion in 1900 to 6.5 billion today." What uses natural resources? What pollutes? People!
Excessive reproduction is as harmful to our planet as excessive consumption. Even with wars, famine, disease and disasters the population continues to explode. It doesn't have to. There are as many ways to express the qualities of "motherhood" and "fatherhood" without having children, as there are children who are in need of these qualities.
Couples world-wide could consider having one child -- two at most -- then opening their arms to those who are starving for attention and love. It is just as important to address this issue for a healthy planet as it is to address those that are continually being addressed.
(The above was published as a letter to the editor in the Almanac's May 2 print edition.)