CAPS Water TV Ad Asks Californians if Population Growth Should Be Slowed Before Taps Run Dry

Water, Natural Treasures, California Dream At Risk As Population
Projected to Increase to 50 Million By 2050

LOS ANGELES (June 2, 2015) – Californians for Population Stabilization (CAPS) launched a TV ad today asking Californians if the state should adopt policies encouraging slower population growth given the impact on water, natural resources and the quality of life for future generations.  The ads are scheduled to run for weeks in Los Angeles and Sacramento on multiple TV networks, at all times of day.

“It’s our responsibility to leave future generations in a better state when future droughts hit,” commented Jo Wideman, Executive Director of Californians for Population Stabilization (CAPS).    “That’s why it’s imperative that we have a mature, open discussion today about the impact population growth will have on California’s future, its water supplies and other natural resources.”

California is experiencing one of the most severe droughts—now in its fourth year— in state history.  Governor Brown has declared a state of emergency and mandatory water conservation measures have been imposed.  The water shortage is occurring even as Californians have made substantial progress in conservation efforts.

“We’ve made great strides in conservation but our progress will continue to be overwhelmed by population growth at the current pace,” said Wideman.

Approximately 40 million people currently reside in California.  By 2050, the California Department of Finance projects the state’s population will increase by 25%, adding another 10 million people, despite native-born Californians having fewer children.  Virtually all of California’s population growth is a result of immigration and births to immigrants.

The TV ad features a child asking, “If Californians are having fewer children, why are there so many cars?; why isn’t there enough water?; where are all the people coming from?”  The ad has recently come under fire from critics for making the obvious connections between immigration and population growth.

“Population growth in California is undeniable.  The impact on our natural resources is irrefutable.  And the fact is immigration is driving population growth.  So, if we slow immigration, we slow population growth and save some California for tomorrow,” concluded Wideman.

The link between population growth and environmental degradation has been made in countless scientific studies.  More people means more cars, trucks and buses on our roads and more air pollution; more parking lots and high rise condominiums mean less green spaces; more chemicals, trash and runoff cascading down super sewers into our streams, lakes and oceans means more damage to California’s biodiversity hot spots; more people also means more pressure on declining water supplies.

To view the TV commercial and learn more about CAPS click here.

###