Dr Richard Lewis extended his term as board chairperson of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, during the organisation’s AGM on 26 September.
The Honeydew Ridge resident spoke about a survey that was conducted by the University of Washington and the United Nations, which found that the world population is likely to keep growing throughout the 21st century.
“I have always believed rampant human population growth lies at the root of much of the misery that exists in the world today. I am always perplexed as to the apparent broad paralysis that exists in addressing this matter by world bodies and governments,” he said.
He also elaborated on humans destroying the environment and many other creatures on the planet. He explained that this is linked to making more room for humans and their needs. Programmes at curbing over-population launched by Nkosazana Dlamini–Zuma when she was the health minister have diminished, according to Lewis.
“Instead we have a child grant system used by poorly educated girls with little hope of securing employment, [and] are having children in order to secure an income,” he said.
Dr Lewis believes this topic has to be taken seriously and addressed in our country and abroad. Environmental awareness is the best way he believes to encourage a change in society’s behaviour in order to understand why we need to start caring for the earth.
The chairperson further stated that they have gone through a significant transformation where the staff have improved their skills, optimised the use of its resources and funds. He also added that these initiatives are aimed at improving WESSA’s relations with funders, donors and partners.
“We have to educate people into knowing that the future really does lie in their hands. All of us know that mankind has put the earth at the edge of a cliff, he said.
