Richer is Greener

Overpopulation is a problem we can handle most effectively by targeting foreign aid and encouragement for emerging democracies wi± a stable rule of law and growing economies. Poverty and population explosions are highly correlated. We have learned much in the past four decades about the relationship between increased wealth and decreased family size and about the many ways we can reduce our environmental impact. As the "green" economist John Baden has argued, as people become better educated and wealthier, they demand an environment of superior quality. "In general," Baden concluded, "richer is greener." This is the principle that links the economy with the environment.

Newt Gingrich, Terry Maple, A contract with the Earth (2007-09-24)

• environmentalism