http://peteum.tumblr.com/post/11566457155
“
The other aspect of population I want to take up is that there is another way of counting. One way, the way I just did it, and the one that is conventionally done, is to simply point to the number of bodies or “people units.” That is valid enough as far as it goes, but it does not really go far enough. This brings up the second method, which is to count by relative rate of resource consumption per body—the relative degree of environmental impact per individual—and to extrapolate this into people units. Using this method, which is actually more accurate in ecological terms, we arrive at conclusions that are a little different than the usual notion that the most overpopulated regions on earth are in the Third World. The average resident of the United States, for example, consumes about thirty times the resources of the average Ugandan or Laotian. Since a lot of poor folk reside in the United States, this translates into the average yuppie consuming about seventy times the resources of an average Third Worlder.
Every yuppie born counts as much as another seventy Chinese. Lay that one on the next Polo-clad geek who approaches you with a baby stroller and an outraged look, demanding that you to put your cigarette out, eh? It is plainly absurd for any American to complain about smoking when you consider the context of the damage done by overall U.S. consumption patterns. Tell ‘em you’ll put the butt out when they snuff the kid and not a moment before. Better yet, tell ‘em they should snuff themselves, as well as the kid, and do the planet a real favor. Just “kidding” (heh-heh).
”
– Ward Churchill, “I Am Indigenist” (via cuntymint)
