E A RT H D AY 2 0 1 2
DO IT
FOR THE PLANET
How safer sex can save the Earth
BY DANTE ZUÑIGA-WEST
WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM
H
ere’s the deal: If we don’t have this little “birds and bees” conversation, there won’t be too many birds
or bees left. The planet we live on is threatened by a species of animal whose way of life destructively
encroaches upon the habitats and prosperity of other creatures — we are that species, and we just
keep coming.
“Wrap with care, save a polar bear” and “In the sack, save a leatherback” are just two of the environmentally
savvy messages printed on the Center for Biological Diversity’s (CBD) latest series of endangered species
condoms, set to be distributed on Earth Day. Wondering what biological diversity has to do with sheathing
your love stick? That’s exactly the question CBD hopes to spark with this new line of jimmy hats.
“We got to a point in our work where we realized there was one link between the (environmental) issues
we are seeing today, and that’s overpopulation” explains Amy Harwood, human overpopulation organizer at
CBD, who says the endangered species condoms are a form of direct action.
“We’re hoping that these condoms
go out into the community and help start
conversations about population growth,”
Harwood says, “they’re great tools for that.”
On the condom packaging, the artwork
of Portland’s Roger Peet colorfully depicts
endangered animals such as Florida panthers,
spotted owls and hellbender salamanders
alongside catchy conservation slogans, in
hopes of supporting one of the best ways
people can help save the planet — by not
putting more people on it.
Harwood says the main problem presented by human overpopulation is the amount of resources we
consume. The more of us there are, the more we need to survive. “And the world’s human population
hasn’t been growing slowly, it’s exploded,” she says.
According to the CBD, the Earth’s population has nearly doubled since the inaugural Earth Day
in 1970. The group says that overpopulation and overconsumption are the root causes of environ-
mental destruction, and that human overpopulation has led to the extinction of the woodland
bison of West Virginia, Arizona’s Merriam’s elk and the Rocky Mountain grasshopper.
Though Harwood and company feel compelled to address overpopulation through birth
control, they aren’t advocating that people cease reproducing; rather, they want folks to
have the resources and information needed to make responsible decisions.
“I have friends who know I’m passionate about this stuff and call to apologize to
me when they get pregnant, and it’s not like that,” Harwood says, going on to point
out that having a kid is everyone’s right, but half of the pregnancies in the U.S. are
unintended. “I would hope that it (having a kid) would be a well-thought-out decision,
not something to be discussed after someone gets pregnant,” she says. “That’s what I
hope the condoms can help with.”
And hey, while we’re on the topic of safe sex for planetary improvement, it’s
important to note that there are other options out there that won’t have you all
wrapped in rubber (or all-natural latex). One in particular that may be coming soon
— provided that the clinical trials and approval processes get under way as they have
in India — is quite unique.
Gentlemen, let’s say you’re all about saving the Earth as a responsible birth-control
user whose only interest is keeping your offspring output at zero. You’re not a fan of
condoms, are in a committed relationship and not stoked on getting a vasectomy? You
should check out the shredder, otherwise known as RISUG (reversible inhibition of sperm
under guidance).
This 15-minute procedure (done under very localized anesthesia) involves a doctor injecting
your vas deferens with a polymer gel that rips your sperm apart while they’re on the way out. The
gel subjects your little swimmers to intense reverse polarity that is likened to what would happen if your
skin was made of metal and you were trying to get through a hallway with a magnetized fl oor and ceiling.
Sure, maybe you think that chemically puréeing your baby batter is further than you are willing to go
in terms of environmental conservation, but hey, before you knock it, consider this — RISUG is reversible.
All you have to do is fl ush your gear out with a baking soda solution.
We wish you a happy Earth Day (now please breed responsibly).
ew
EUGENE WEEKLY APRIL 19, 2012 13