William Vogt
Encyclopedia
William Vogt was an ecologist and ornithologist, with a strong interest in population control
. He was the author of best-seller Road to Survival (1948), National Director of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and secretary of the Conservation Foundation
.
William Vogt was born in Mineola, New York
. After graduating with honors in 1925 from St. Stephens (now Bard) College
, he was, among other things, an early opponent of marshland drainage for mosquito control
and later assumed a series of positions that gave him the opportunity to further pursue his interests in birds and the environment.
In 1942, he was made Associate Director of the Division of Science and Education of the Office of the Coordinator in Inter-American Affairs. Later he served as Chief of the Conservation Section of the Pan American Union, he was given the opportunity to study the relationship between climate, population and resources, in various Latin American countries. These experiences formed the background to the perspective he later elaborated on in his Road to Survival, a book motivated by his strong belief that then-current trends in fertility
and economic growth were rapidly destroying the environment and undermining the quality of life of future generations. Vogt’s most significant contribution was to link environmental and perceived overpopulation
problems, warning in no uncertain terms that current trends would deliver future wars, hunger, disease and civilizational collapse.
Road to Survival was an influential best seller. It had a big impact on a Malthusian revival in the 1950s and 60s. After its publication he dedicated many activities to the cause of overpopulation. From 1951 to 1962, he served as a National Director of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. In 1964, he became the Secretary of the Conservation Foundation
. He served as a representative of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources to the United Nations
until his death. "Upon his death on July 11, 1968, he was remembered for the provocative questions he had dared to ask and for tackling a subjectmatter that remained shrouded in controversy."
Population control
Human population control is the practice of artificially altering the rate of growth of a human population.Historically, human population control has been implemented by limiting the population's birth rate, usually by government mandate, and has been undertaken as a response to factors including...
. He was the author of best-seller Road to Survival (1948), National Director of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and secretary of the Conservation Foundation
Conservation Foundation
The Conservation Foundation may refer to:*Australian Conservation Foundation *African Conservation Foundation*Conservation Foundation, UK*Conservation Foundation, Canada...
.
William Vogt was born in Mineola, New York
Mineola, New York
Mineola is a village in Nassau County, New York, USA. The population was 18,799 at the 2010 census. The name is derived from a Native American word meaning a "pleasant place"....
. After graduating with honors in 1925 from St. Stephens (now Bard) College
Bard College
Bard College, founded in 1860 as "St. Stephen's College", is a small four-year liberal arts college located in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.-Location:...
, he was, among other things, an early opponent of marshland drainage for mosquito control
Mosquito control
Mosquito control manages the population of mosquitoes to reduce their damage to human health, economies, and enjoyment. Mosquito control is a vital public-health practice throughout the world and especially in the tropics because mosquitoes spread many diseases, such as malaria.Mosquito-control...
and later assumed a series of positions that gave him the opportunity to further pursue his interests in birds and the environment.
In 1942, he was made Associate Director of the Division of Science and Education of the Office of the Coordinator in Inter-American Affairs. Later he served as Chief of the Conservation Section of the Pan American Union, he was given the opportunity to study the relationship between climate, population and resources, in various Latin American countries. These experiences formed the background to the perspective he later elaborated on in his Road to Survival, a book motivated by his strong belief that then-current trends in fertility
Fertility
Fertility is the natural capability of producing offsprings. As a measure, "fertility rate" is the number of children born per couple, person or population. Fertility differs from fecundity, which is defined as the potential for reproduction...
and economic growth were rapidly destroying the environment and undermining the quality of life of future generations. Vogt’s most significant contribution was to link environmental and perceived overpopulation
Overpopulation
Overpopulation is a condition where an organism's numbers exceed the carrying capacity of its habitat. The term often refers to the relationship between the human population and its environment, the Earth...
problems, warning in no uncertain terms that current trends would deliver future wars, hunger, disease and civilizational collapse.
Road to Survival was an influential best seller. It had a big impact on a Malthusian revival in the 1950s and 60s. After its publication he dedicated many activities to the cause of overpopulation. From 1951 to 1962, he served as a National Director of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. In 1964, he became the Secretary of the Conservation Foundation
Conservation Foundation
The Conservation Foundation may refer to:*Australian Conservation Foundation *African Conservation Foundation*Conservation Foundation, UK*Conservation Foundation, Canada...
. He served as a representative of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
until his death. "Upon his death on July 11, 1968, he was remembered for the provocative questions he had dared to ask and for tackling a subjectmatter that remained shrouded in controversy."