[Originally published in the OTHER paper, Eugene, Oregon in October, 1998.]

Just say  NO  to growth

by Wanda Ballentine

Finally -- an organization focusing on the nemesis behind the multitude of problems facing us and calling it by its true name -- growth -- along with its handmaidens, overpopulation and overconsumption.

Alternatives to Growth Oregon (AGO) just sent out birth announcements. The idea for the organization was spawned by last year's Alternative to Growth conference, which ironically mirrored the problem, attracting nearly 100 more people than it could accommodate. Attendees agreed with Governor Kitzhaber's statement, "If I had the power, I'd turn off the spigot and keep Oregon as it is today." Their most common comment was: "I'm so glad someone finally did this. I've long thought that growth must end, but didn't know so many others did. What are you going to do next? Start a new group? I hope you do."

AGO's mission: To leave succeeding generations of Oregonians a more economically prosperous, environmentally healthy, and socially just State by encouraging progress toward a sustainable society, and discouraging growth focused on increased population and consumption.

Its goals:

Define and achieve a stable level of human population and consumption in Oregon that is in balance with the natural environment.

Meet the economic needs of all Oregonians, regardless of socio-economic status.

Achieve a healthy economy that grows because of the expanding knowledge and skills of its citizens, instead of increasing population or consumption.

President of the fledgling organization is Andy Kerr, former director of the Oregon Natural Resources Council, and for many years the man most hated by the timber industry. He asserts that population and consumption growth in Oregon are clearly unsustainable, and growth management is not enough:

Population doubled in 40 years and is projected to double again in another 40 years.

Oregon has some of the world's most productive farmland which is being lost to development.

Our forests are being consumed at unsustainable rates.

Native Willamette Valley prairie has been virtually eliminated.

Water and air quality continue to deteriorate.

Traffic congestion is increasing and will be out of control.

The losing battle to maintain Portland's Metro Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) was a debate on how, not whether, to grow, and the choices were: sprawl like Los Angeles or densify like Los Angeles (LA is more densely populated than Portland). The Metro Council chose both; not considered: not growing or slowing growth.

The cost of new development does not pay for itself. Growth is a race one loses the faster one runs. We're not only losing the Oregon we know and love, we're paying to do so. Oregon taxpayers subsidize corporations, newcomers and large families.

Oregon would be in far worse shape without planning, which must continue, but not only is it not enough, a political backlash to growth management is occurring as more people feel restrictions, but no benefits, and see planning simply as the vehicle that allows growth. In Milwaukee, elected officials were recalled for not fighting Metro's directives to increase population density. Lawn signs are sprouting that say "Rethink Zoning." The Citizens For a Voice in Annexations movement is spreading and has been quite successful in limiting the extension of government services to undeveloped areas.

AGO says population and consumption must both be addressed. If resource consumption and resultant pollution continues to rise, stabilizing the population won't make enough difference. If recycling is doubled, nothing is gained if population also doubles. Emissions from cars are an order of magnitude cleaner than they were a generation ago, but the air is not an order of magnitude cleaner -- because there are more cars.

The growth debate has been controlled by an establishment that sees growth as unquestionably good, or good if planned. Many who question growth believe it inevitable and fear to take on the powerful "pro-growth" establishment that profits so handsomely from population and consumption growth. Most Oregonians don't, and the Oregon Values & Belief Survey (Oregon Business Council, May 1993) revealed that overpopulation is Oregonians' greatest fear. Approximately 62% believe the state's growth is undesirable.

Needed strategies to halt growth:

Eliminate tax policies that encourage growth.

Make sustainability and community the goals of     Oregon government.

Eliminate government policies that encourage excessive consumption.

Work to reduce the birth rate.

Work for social justice.

Alternatives to Growth Oregon promises not to duplicate efforts of other organizations, but to go where no organization has gone before.

To join or learn more, contact Alternatives to Growth Oregon, POB 80334, Portland, 97280-1334 (503)222-0282 (voice) (503) 222-0180 (fax) ago@teleport.com