In October 2000, a bipartisan coalition in Congress tirelessly worked to pass increased and unrestricted funding for international family planning programs. The global gag rule disqualifies overseas family planning organizations from receiving U.S. funds if they, with their own money, lobby to change abortion laws or provide legal abortion services in their countries. The health of the planet is connected to the health of women and their families. Family planning services not only directly impact families, they improve the ability of families to manage their lives. Women with access to crucial family planning education and services are able to choose the size and spacing of their families, which ultimately leads to healthier families and reduced consumption of the planet's natural resources.
Population growth is one of the leading contributors to environmental degradation around the world.
Sierra Club acknowledges humanity's population ecological footprint have global environmental consequences. Therefore, Sierra Club supports voluntary, unrestricted family planning programs that empower women to make their own choices about their families. Read Dr. Edgar Wayburn's letter to President Bush on family planning. Read background info on the Global Gag Rule . Sierra Club Executive Director, Carl Pope's statement on the global gag rule .