PCC Courier, October 14, 1970

PCC CoiPii&v VOL. 33, NO. 4 PASADENA CITY COLLEGE, PASADENA, CALIFORNIA OCTOBER 14, 1970 Future Population Crisis By MARILYN MITCHELL “Overpopulation is our prob¬ lem, and now!” This is the statement Dr. Paul Ehrlich emphasized in his fast-fir¬ ing, extremely provocative lecture on the PCC campus last Wednes¬ day at noon. Dr. Ehrlich is a professor of biology at Stanford University, a high-demand public lecturer, auth¬ or of the best-seller, “The Popula¬ tion Bomb,” and the founder of the organization to combat over¬ population, Zero Population. Dr. Ehrlich, in his first campus speaking appearance this fall, spoke to a capacity crowd of stu¬ dents and faculty from PCC, Cal Tech, and neighboring high schools. Many of the audience brought their families and lunches. Quite a few sat on the grass, and all were aware that this was a man with an important message. The philosophy which led to overpopulation, Dr. Ehrlich stat¬ ed, began with the agricultural revolution. Since this time there has been a continuous growth to the 4 billion world population to¬ day. He stated that this is already three to seven times larger than the planet can sustain. This he illustrated effectively by showing that the number of Americans killed in combat since the Revo¬ lutionary War, 600,000, is now equaled in births every three and one-half days. Lack of Food Already we are beginning to feel the impact of such an over¬ crowded world by the lack of enough food. Each year, between 10 and 20 million starve, while another one to two billion are hungry. Last year, although there was a two per cent population growth, less food was produced than in the previous year. The question was asked about the U. S. food abundance and the payment by the government to some farmers for not farming their land. Dr. Ehrlich then discussed the food surplus politics, and answer¬ ed the question with the state¬ ment, “There is more food than people can buy.” After outlining the query of overpopulation and the side ef¬ fects, such as pollution, he direct¬ ed his lecture personally to the audience and their role in the problem. He believes that the United States must take the de¬ cisive step by radically changing its mode of life, setting an ex¬ ample for the rest of the world to follow. He pointed out that lead¬ ers of underdeveloped countries will deliberately attempt to create a situation which makes smog in order to achieve status. “Population growth in middle- class America is the most danger¬ ous.” Dr. Ehrlich backed up this statement by showing that each U. S. baby is potentially 50 per cent more dangerous than an Indian or Chinese baby because of his higher consumption and pol¬ lution rate. The responsibility of family limiting must be emphasized for the middle-class as well as the minorities. Dr. Ehrlich stressed that those who talk of birth con¬ trol usually mean it for someone else. Radical Changes Aside from the personal com¬ mitment he believes each person must face, Dr. Ehrlich believes that radical structure changes in government are necessary. He sees as a beginning of a solution a changed, if not a completely new U. S. Constitution, a revamp of the regulating agencies, many of which, he stated, “are run by the people who own the compa¬ nies which the commission regu¬ lates.” Changes in Congress, par¬ ticularly in the seniority system, are also needed, according to Dr. Ehrlich. New leaders, and an overall shift from the materialistic, GNP oriented philosophy he believes are essential. Dr. Ehrlich does not contend that all this dramatic change is an easy task, but he cannot stress enough the immediate and inevit¬ able danger. He says that as in the past “where need appears great enough, man can change.” That his ideas are not popular with the majority does not alarm or dissuade him, for he believes that it has been substantial minor¬ ities that have accomplished rad¬ ical changes. Dr. Ehrlich urged the audience of potential voters to aim for the 1972 election to begin this change. The question was raised from the stands whether or not he had political aspirations. He answered, “No, I am primarily a biologist; I find political life distasteful.” In the brief question and ans¬ wer period, Dr. Ehrlich discussed the plundering of natural, un- replentished resources, abortion, the inadequacy of artificial foods, and the medical problems con¬ cerning birth control pills. He also discussed the political problems of each. The lecture was concluded with Dr. Ehrlich’s plea for a stable in¬ stead of a growing society. The large crowd exited with much crowding of the exits, small ba¬ bies crying, and here and there litter from a lunch underfoot being trampled. Overpopulation, it’s your baby. Freshman President Betted by Write-In Vote Plurality By JOE SMALAKIS The democratic socio-political process of electing a Frosh Presi¬ dent for the fall semester ended on Friday. The office was won by Dan Nordberg. He is the first write-in canadate to ever win at this school. Out of a total of 323 ballots cast, Dan received 97 which gave him 30 percent of the total. Cam¬ eron Smith came next with 66 votes or 20.4 percent. Four cana- dates plus a number of write-ins battled in this election. The political race was plagued with inefficiency. “Dirty cam¬ paigning” was utilized. Use of amplification equipment violated election rules. Also ridicule reach¬ ed “slanderous” heights. Mike Karpiel felt that there “should be a run off election be¬ tween the top two candiates, Nordberg and Smith, because the winner received only 30 per cent '70 Homecoming S-Finalists Selected Eight of the semi-finalists for the homecoming court are Can¬ dy Palmer, Nancy Tobin, Lynn Robinson, Joanne Gimbel, Mar¬ lene Bevans, Wylda Cottrell. Paula Blanchard, Julie Fleet- wood. At press time two more candidates still had not been chosen. Students Urged To Select Books If a student finds that the PCC Library does not have a book he feels should be there, it is simple for him to fill out a request form which will be processed along with all new book requests. An explanation and some book order forms have been placed near the author-title section of the card catalog. These 10 girls were chosen from 48 applicants by the Home¬ coming Committee headed by John Coffey. The committed spent all last weekend judgling the girls. Can¬ didates were rated on their ap¬ pearance, attitude, spirit, poise, carriage and smile. Each committee member ask¬ ed the girls a question such as “in one word describe yourself,” and “what is your honest opin¬ ion of PCC?” The girls will campaign from October 19 to 23. Elections for the court will be held October 19 to 23. Elections for the court will be held October 26 and 27 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The five finalists will be announced at noon Thursday October 29. The Homecoming Game is Oct¬ ober 31. of the total votes. In my opinion the winner should receive 40 per cent of the total votes.” He went on to thank the pollers and ser¬ vice clubs. When your reporter asked Dan his future plans, he said “One of the primary goals to be stressed in the future will be to clean up the student government and make it more effective. What I want is a youth movement for the first time on this campus and constructive legislation in park¬ ing, community affairs and na¬ tional issues.” He wants a “united voice” of students “in matters concerning the students on campus.” One area where he felt a united voice could be expressed is ecology. “I think it’s about time that the students here become aware that they are part of the social sturc- ture and can effect change in so¬ ciety.” —Pasadena City College Photo DR. PAUL EHRLICH spoke to PCC students October 7 about the dangers of rampant population growth. The Stanford biologist and founder of Zero Population Growth, predicted ecological disaster within decades unless drastic action is taken. International Club Makes Plans for Coming Year The Iternational Club held its welcoming party recently in the faculty dining room. One of the most active clubs on campus, it attributes it suc¬ cess to good organization. “Good organization,” said Mrs. Alice Mothershead, special advi¬ sor to the club, “is the way to success. Without it the best of enterprises fail.” Coupled with good organization is an atmosphere of friendliness and warmth generated by the students themselves, who all seem to possess the same objec¬ tive that of seeing the club grow. Mrs. Mothershead feels that the sameness of objectives and the harmony of working together is due not only to the fact that most of the students are foreigners and this need and desire to respond come naturally; but also to good communication between the members. It is as though the club is an octopus with each mem¬ ber a functioning tentacle. This semester the main aim of the group will be to raise funds for sholarships. This is not a new venture, but this project will be undertaken on a larger scale in the form of a grand ba¬ zaar to be held in November. In this way more foreign stu¬ dents will be able to further their studies. Once every month the Itema- tional Club, under Tuncer To- prakci, president, meets in 211C at 12 noon. On-Campus Nursery? PCC students who are parents have voiced an interest in on- campus day care facilities. They have developed a questionnaire to determine the extent of such a need. If you are interested will you please fill out the ques¬ tionnaire available in the Parent Education Office, 164C, or the Campus Center and leave it in the designated box. Eventually we might have a nursery school on campus. ☆ ☆ ☆ Honors at Entrance Honors at Entrance have been granted to 93 freshman stu¬ dents, based upon a high school grade point ratio of 3.5. These students received commendation letters from the president, which included an announce¬ ment of various scholarships at entrance. Student Nursing Lecture To Be Held on Psycho-socia! Aspects of Drug Abuse The date, October 21; the time, 7:45 p.m.; the place, Campus Cen¬ ter Lounge; the issue, the psy¬ cho-social aspects of drug a- buse. The guest speakers for this panel discussion are Dr. Bill Brown, public health officer, Pa¬ sadena Public Health Depart¬ ment, Miss Edye Jacobson, so¬ cial worker at the Foothill Free Clinic; and Jim Robeson, Com¬ munity relations officer of the Pasadena Police Department. The discussion is sponsored by the Student Nurses Association of California Local PCC. The discussion is to focus on druge abuse in the Pasadena communi¬ ty. The program is open to every¬ one. The fee for attending is 25 cents for non-members of SNAC. Refreshments will be served. Mary Jane Twilley, SNAC por- gram chairman, says, “All three of the guests are dynamic speak¬ ers and well versed in his work. Each one’s job is concerned with, and involved in the psychological and sociological problems of drug usage and abusage in the Pasa¬ dena area.” For any further information you may contact Miss Twilley at 795-9822.