This article states right in its introduction in bullets that the environmental argument for reducing immigration into the united states is (1) Immigration levels are historically high and is the main driver of U.S. Population growth, (2) Population growth contributes to a host of environmental issues within out borders, (3) growing population increases America’s large environmental footprint beyond our borders and our disproportionate role in stressing global environmental issues, (4) to address environmental problems at home/ become good global environmental citizens, (5) we must stop U.S population growth, (6) we are morally obligated to address our environmental problems/ become good global environmental citizens, (7) therefore we should limit immigration into US to the extent needed to stop US population growth.
It defends the first point by discussing the trends in the US in regards to population growth in general over time and also how immigration has affected that growth. For its second point they focus on urban sprawl as an example. In regards to sprawl it really focuses on land use, and how improper land use creates a boat-load of environmental issues. It discusses why urban sprawl occurs and its damage to the environment, and suggests on how to stop it. They suggest changing transportation, tax, zoning, and population policies that encourage it.
In regards to point 3 this quote from the article sums it up nicely, “the evidence clearly shows that recent population growth has increased Americans’ total land and energy consumption and made these problems even worse. Americans must address both overconsumption and overpopulation if we hope to create a sustainable society and contribute to a sustainable world.” These three issues show how US population growth contributes to domestic and global environmental issues. This article defines what a “good environmentalist” could mean, and how its our responsibility to hold up our part if we want to see a change in population growth.
They propose a policy for immigration and give and alternative. They address that some people will not like their proposal and they bring up the idea of “liberal egalitarian”. They also break down environmental and economic objections that might come along.
This article wasn’t hard to read and also provided really nice figures. It was very well organized and provides a lot of statistics, and solutions.
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