Dogma could hurt the planet

The European Parliament today refused to accept that world population growth is a major factor influencing climate change.

MEPs meeting in Strasbourg voted against including in a key report on global warming any reference to the fact that human numbers have trebled over the past 50 years, and continue to increase by more than 100,000 every day.

The decision was described as a victory for "religious dogma" by Chris Davies, the British Liberal Democrat who tabled the proposal.

"This is a dark day for truth," he said. "For Europe's Parliament to refuse to accept that population growth is one of the most significant explanations for global warming is akin to Creationists defeating the science of Darwin."

In a speech to the Parliament, the MEP had called for greater support for women to take control over their own fertility, with free contraception and comprehensive reproductive education and advice for all.

He also claims that religious opposition to contraception is self defeating when it comes to the subject of abortion as the most effective way of reducing abortions is to improve access to contraception.

Davies said that medical services needed to be improved so that women in developing nations could safely delay having their first child.

He wants governments everywhere to set targets for optimum population levels.

"Rates of world population growth are unprecedented, creating growing demand that is unsustainable," he commented.

"This issue should be at the forefront of debate about climate change. To dismiss it for reasons of religious dogma is akin to ostriches burying their heads in sand:"

Current world population is 6.8 billion and is growing by 78 million a year. This is equivalent to 200,00 extra people per day. Three billion people are under the age of 25.

According to the United Nations Population Fund some 380 women become pregnant every minute of the day, and of these 190 did not plan to do so.