Density is a mitigation tool - and the preferred way of life for many - but Americans who desire more open space have science-supported reasons for asking Congress to address sprawl at one of its key sources: federal immigration policy.

On May 8, 2024, Sir David Attenborough turned 98 years old.  Attenborough was born in England and became a famous broadcaster, biologist, natural historian, and writer.  He is known throughout the world as being one of the most passionate and effective supporters of environmental causes and the natural world.  He has advocated for restoring biodiversity, … Continued

David Brower, the first executive director of the Sierra Club, knew that reducing immigration levels was a necessary part of population stabilization and achieving authentic sustainability.  He said: “Overpopulation is perhaps the biggest problem facing us, and immigration is part of that problem. It has to be addressed.”

Back in 1972, the rate of legal immigration into the U.S. was around 400,000, as was illegal immigration.  Legal immigration now amounts to 1.2 million, which pales next to the rate of illegal immigration at 2.5 – 3.0 million per year. 

Despite the Clean Water Act, many of America’s rivers are suffering, with no relief in sight, as our population continues to soar to unprecedented levels.  The Census Bureau projects America’s population will grow by another 75 million in the next 40 years, with roughly 90% of that caused by immigration.  It’s significant that this projection was made before the immigration surge at the southern border, where illegal immigration has become more than twice as high as legal.

In a state where 95% of the land is privately owned, the trade-off between unchecked population growth and open space preservation in Texas is clear.

Americans have grown increasingly efficient with our use of resources (i.e., our per capita ecological footprint). But we haven’t grown more sustainable  -- that is, the U.S. ecological deficit (gap between footprint and biocapacity) has increased -- because the amount of natural resources (i.e., our biocapacity) per person has also declined. Why? In part because we have converted them into urbanized areas to accommodate immigration-driven population growth.

Candidates who emphasize habitat and wildlife conservation have an edge in these Western states. But to fulfill campaign promises, conservation candidates will have to address immigration policy.

The most direct and fundamental way to resolve America’s decline in biodiversity is to gradually bring down our high levels of immigration. Habitat loss cannot be stopped as long as immigration (legal and illegal) continues to add roughly three and a half million people every year.