A critique of population control narratives reproduced by international development actors in the 21st century

Since the turn of the millennium, American media, scientists, and environmental activists have insisted that the global population crisis is backand that the only way to avoid catastrophic climate change is to ensure womens universal access to contraception. Did the population problem ever disappear? What is bringing it backand why now? In On Infertile Ground, Jade S. Sasser explores how a small network of international development actors, including private donors, NGO program managers, scientists, and youth advocates, is bringing population back to the center of public environmental debate. While these narratives never disappeared, Sasser argues, histories of human rights abuses, racism, and a conservative backlash against abortion in the 1980s drove them undergrounduntil now.

Using interviews and case studies from a wide range of sitesfrom Silicon Valley foundation headquarters to youth advocacy trainings, the halls of Congress and an international climate change conferenceSasser demonstrates how population growth has been reframed as an urgent source of climate crisis and a unique opportunity to support womens sexual and reproductive health and rights. ­Although well-intentionedpromoting positive action, womens empowerment, and moral accountability to a global communitythese groups also perpetuate the same myths about the sexuality and lack of virtue and control of women and the people of global south that have been debunked for decades. Unless the development community recognizes the pervasive repackaging of failed narratives, Sasser argues, true change and development progress will not be possible.

On Infertile Ground presents a unique critique of international development that blends the study of feminism, environmentalism, and activism in a groundbreaking way. It will make any development professional take a second look at the ideals driving their work.