Overpopulation and Burma cyclone

Burma has close to 48 million people in an area slightly smaller than
Texas (USA). As the population grows (mindlessly, like everywhere),
more trees are lost. Mangroves used to form a coastal buffer against
extreme storm surges, but 3/4ths of them have been cleared for shrimp
and rice farming since the 1920s. See
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/09/asia/mangrove.php

This is similar to what happened with hurricane Katrina. Too many
barrier wetlands have been filled in for development (a.k.a.
population growth), making them unable to absorb storm surges as they
naturally would. Florida also suffers from this condition. Record
storms reveal the idiocy of destroying nature in the name of "economic
growth."

A parallel reason we're seeing larger death tolls is that more people
are living in disaster-prone areas. Population growth creates a
vicious cycle of less buffer protection and more people at the mercy
of the elements.

Until it becomes politically correct to promote birth control vs.
"meeting the needs of a growing population," mindless growth will
continue until the 11th hour. Actually, the 11th hour has long been
upon us, but growthism wipes out all reason.

E.A.

http://enough_already.tripod.com/

Indifference to nature can be fatal.