Term Paper on "Overpopulations and Its Environmental Effects"

Term Paper 20 pages (5154 words) Sources: 9

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Overpopulation and Its Environmental Effects

The Big Picture of Overpopulations and its environmental effects

Main Points

the Overall Change

The Impact of Overpopulations around the globe

Environmental Effects Involved

Methods/Factors of population control

Pros and Cons

G. The Future of our Society/Main Concerns

Recap

the big picture of overpopulation and its environmental effects

The word population is estimated to be approaching 6.9 billion people. As one commentator notes, this is a "...very formidable number" (Stancheva). The reason for the concern about the world population figures is that this number of people constitutes a complex problem and it is considered to have a very detrimental affect on the world's environment in a variety of ways.

In recent years, we have become well aware of the fact that the world's environment has been drastically affected by climate change. This refers to evidence that proves the global warming is caused by human factors, such as carbon emission and pollution of the atmosphere. This is directly related to the problem of overpopulation and the fact that an increasing number of people are contributing to aspects such as atmospheric pollution, which is having a negative impact on the environment. This relationship between overpopulation and global warming is an aspect that will be discussed in this paper.

In essence, overpopulation is one of the major facets that eco-scientists and environmentalists state as an issue that that can have a profoundly negative effect on the environment. A point that is reiterated repeatedly in the literature is the fact that the problem of overpopulation is a global issue and not a local or regional concern only. This means that in the age of communications and globalization, where countries have become interdependent both economically and politically, the problem of overpopulation affects all the inhabitants of the world and not only isolated regions.

In this light, it is extremely worrying that many pundits predict that there will be a radical increase in the earth's population in the near future. One estimate is that the world's population is expected to increase to as much as twelve billion people in the next fifty years. (Global Warming Is Really Happening)

Experts also refer to global warming as an escalating problem. They state that if one adds the increasing problem of overpopulation and the concomitant need for resources to the problems of global warming, then this has profound implications for the stability of the environment. This has led to some dire predictions. "When you combine this over population problem with the problems we are going to experience from global warming the outlook for all humanity is bleak" (Global Warming Is Really Happening).

A common definition of overpopulation that will form the basis of the discussion in this paper is; "Excessive population of an area to the point of overcrowding, depletion of natural resources, or environmental deterioration" ('Overpopulation'). Some of the basic reasons for overpopulation include an increase in life expectancy as a result of improved medical practices, such as immunization and the fact that many more people are receiving medical treatment for illness than before. This has resulted in a decreased infant mortality rate in many parts of the world. The following diagram presents an overview of the population numbers by country

Source: http://www.cap-lmu.de/fgz/statistics/population.php

B. Thesis

The central thesis that will be explored in this paper is that overpopulation in the world can be directly linked to environmental issues. This includes contemporary issue such as global warming and climate change. This is based on the view that as the population increases beyond a certain point of balance, there is a greater demand for scarce natural resources. This demand places an unbearable strain on the natural environment and leads to an imbalance in the environment that has extensive repercussions throughout the world. This is also related to the issue of carbon emissions that have created global warming, leading to very serious environmental issues for our planet.

The seriousness of the problem global warming necessitates some form of control. This leads to the issue of information dissemination and education about this problem in an attempt to curtail future population growth.

II. Main Points

A. The Overall Change

In an article entitled, Environmental Effects of Overpopulation by Gian Vinelli, the author clearly outlines the way that the increase in the world's population over the last few thousand years has had an impact on the environment of the planet. Approximately ten thousand years ago, at the time of the agricultural revolution or the discovery of agriculture in human history, the population is estimated at being not much more than ten million people. If we compare this to the approximately six billion people on earth today, the increase in population is evident. There has also been a radical increase in the world's population over the last hundred years.

Figure 2. World Population Growth 1 a.D. To 2048 a.D.

Global Population (mid-year estimates, 1960 to 2048)

Comment

A.D.

300 million

310 million

Only +10 million in 1000 years!

400 million

500 million

980 million

Agricultural & Industrial Revolutions + European conquests of 'New Worlds' starting to have big impacts

1,260 million

More than 1,800 years (from 1 a.D.) needed to reach 1 billion

1,650 million

2,070 million

2nd billion reached in c. 115 more years

3,039 million

3rd billion reached in only 30 more years; max. annual rate of increase of 2.2%pa occurred in 1962

4,014 million

4th billion reached in only 14 more years

5,028 million

5th billion reached in only 13 more years; max. annual actual increase of +87.4 million occurred in 1989

6,002 million

6th billion reached in only 12 more years; by the Year 2000 the rate of growth had slowed to 1.26%pa, but the annual pop. increase is +77.3 million because of the larger base population

7,030 million

14 more years to add 1 billion more -- slowing of growth rate to c. 1%pa, but still +70 million pa added to global total

8,023 million

13 more years to add 1 billion more

9,024 million

20 more years to add 1 billion more; growth rate now 0.5%pa, but pop. increase still +40 million pa

Source: http://humanities.cqu.edu.au/geography/GEOG11024/week_1.htm

However, the increase in population by itself is not the problem. What is creating concern is the fact that the earth has limited resources to accommodate and feed the increasing number of people on the planet. As Vinelli and others note; "With the population rising at an enormous rate of 1.7 million a week, the world as a whole is being drained of its resources" (Vinelli). This in turn has a concomitant impact and an adverse effect on the environment that sustains the land and the people on it.

There a many studies that support the view that, "Environmental degradation and population growth go hand in hand" (Vinelli). This connection between overpopulation and the environment is based on a few logical and rather obvious observations. With the increase in the number of people, there is also a greater need for space, which results in the exploitation and damage of the environment to create this necessary space. For example, the demand for more land to accommodate more people has led to the decimation of many forests, natural habitats and ecosystems that are an important part of the overall environmental complex. The environment is in fact a subtle and complex interaction of various interdependent ecosystems. As more land is turned into human habitation, so these natural and essential ecosystems are upset and become unbalanced.

The damage to the environment can range from forests that are cleared to the diversion of waterways and the exhaustion of the soil and land through over planting to feed the growing population. (Vinelli) This also refers to the loss of various species of plants and animals - a fact that has accelerated in recent years with the increase in global warming. These species and organisms all play a part in the balance and maintenance of the environment and their loss has a knock-on affect that eventually results in the severe deterioration of the environment. One essential point that is made is that only about two billion people can be accommodated on the planet without upsetting the environment.

The impact of overpopulation on the environment also leads to disease and famine which impacts on the global human health profile.

As populations rise, the general health conditions decrease as fewer people are able to receive basic medical care. Similarly, poor living conditions and sanitation, especially the lack of clean water, leads to serious outbreaks of disease. In an attempt to feed the rising populace larger areas of land are cleared for agriculture leading to soil erosion, deforestation, and desertification.

(Vinelli)

This is particularly the case in less developed countries.

Adding to this picture is the increase in CO2 levels over the past fifty years. These levels have increased dramatically and are coupled with a thinning ozone layer and rising atmospheric temperatures. The general situation with regard to the increasing population and the environment is summed up as follows.… READ MORE

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