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Reprinted from the Rochester, MN Post-Bulletin

Cyclist cites population problem

Monday, June 10, 2002

By Joshua Lynch

The Post-Bulletin

Ben Stallings said his 780-mile journey through Minnesota and Iowa is laden with symbolism.

He travels alone because he advocates population management. He sleeps in a tent because he wants to encourage reuse. And he's riding a bike because it's the environmentally friendly thing to do.

"I realize that not everyone can bicycle where they need to go," Stallings said with a laugh. "I just want to bring the message that we use less resources."

For the last three weeks, Stallings has been biking dozens of miles each day to draw attention to the world's growing population problem. With 6.2 billion people alive today -- and another 144 [net gain] each minute -- Stallings said Earth is nearly exceeding its capacity.

"It doesn't matter how much you recycle, it doesn't matter how mindful of the environment you are," he said. "If the population continues to grow, the climate change will undo everything that's been done."

And as chief operating officer of the Minneapolis-based World Population Balance, Stallings said Sunday in Rochester it's time people realize the world's precarious situation.

"In the U.S., we tend to think that we're not part of the problem -- or that there isn't a problem," he said. "But we're really the worst offender in terms of environmental problems."

Stallings said the birth rate, especially in un- and under-developed countries, must be lowered so it balances with the death rate. Education is key, he said, so individuals can decide which method of family planning is best for them.

Although his position counters the societal, married-with-children norm, Stallings said people must address the population problem before it reaches crisis levels.

"I hope that by being eccentric, I can get more people to talk about it," he said. "There needs to be a lot of work done. This is a start."

On the web: www.worldpopulationbalance.org