Frequently Asked Questions

What is Global Population Speak Out?

The 2015 Global Population Speak Out campaign is an activist organizing and public education initiative that offers people and organizations worldwide the opportunity to influence the future of life on Earth.

What is the book Overdevelopment, Overpopulation, Overshoot?

Overdevelopment, Overpopulation, Overshoot (OVER) is an impressive piece of art crystallizing the ecological and social tragedies of humanity’s ballooning numbers and consumption. Filled with powerful and evocative images, OVER addresses many of the Earth’s challenges that are caused by human population size and growth and is at the center of the 2015 Global Population Speak Out campaign. OVER was published by the Foundation for Deep Ecology and printed by Goff Books. It is being distributed as part of Speak Out by Population Media Center and Population Institute.

Can I purchase copies of Overdevelopment, Overpopulation, Overshoot?

Overdevelopment, Overpopulation, Overshoot (OVER) is being distributed as part of Global Population Speak Out for the purpose of raising awareness around these important issues. We were granted books to be given away freely as rewards and incentives for participation and action that brings about change. But we know many people may want this book as part of their personal library. Luckily, Goff Books is making copies of the book for retail distribution. The book retails for $50.

What have some people done to Speak Out in the past?

Examples of previous Speak Out activities include: International Herald Tribune Op-Ed publications; major press coverage in Science Magazine, Grist, and the New York Times; campus-wide activism; birth control education seminars; movie screenings; community forums; small public demonstrations in the US and England.

Why should we address population and consumption?

There’s no shortage of information about the many challenges facing our planet, such as climate change, sea levels, food systems, air quality, pollution, and availability of energy sources. But understanding how systemic changes in consumption patterns and improving health and human rights of individuals around the world positively impacts these global issues is a key component in solving these issues. We must lessen excessive ecological footprints wherever they occur, including those of corporations, governments, and individuals. We must also address the more than 225,000 people (net growth) added to the world every day. The outstripping of the Earth’s resources and resulting ecological impoverishment includes both our socio-economic behaviors and the number of people. We must address both in order to live sustainably. 

How do we address population?

There are human rights and health enhancing ways to stabilize population, such as providing girls with equal rights, access to education, and comprehensive reproductive and sexual rights and health. We believe that by taking actions that enhance the lives of the people and the planet today, we can protect the lives of the people and the planet of tomorrow. In fact, understanding the currently unsustainable population growth helps lend urgency to these independently urgent health and human rights issues.

How do we address consumption?

Consumption is influenced by numerous systems and behaviors. Addressing consumption requires examining capitalism, consumerism, and technology. Corporations, governments, and individuals must be empowered and required to live more sustainably, such as replacing outdated and dangerous modes of energy with renewable resources.

Who funds Global Population Speak Out?

Global Population Speak Out is organized and run by Population Media Center and Population Institute, two organizations dedicated to protecting the environment, human health, and human rights. The campaign is funded by numerous individual and foundation sponsors who donate to raise awareness and action to change the trajectory of overshoot.