The world's number of population has increased over the last half a century.
Of all of the environmental problems facing the world today overpopulation is one that often falls under the radar. Issues like pollution, climate change and water scarcity all seem to take priority, but overpopulation is one of the biggest contributors to many other environmental issues.
In addition to affecting global economies and living standards, over population will place large demands on resources and land, leading to widespread environmental issues. The problem is compounded by the difficulty and misunderstanding of the causes and effects of overpopulation in providing solutions to this problem.
Here are the four causes and consequences of Over Population:
1.) Indigence
The leading cause of overpopulation is thought to be deprivation. The lack of educational opportunities, combined with high mortality rates leading to higher birth rates, leads to significant population booms in deprived areas. According to Luis Teodoro of Bulatlat.com (August, 2015), He reported that public rates of overpopulation worsen scarcity, and that in large families there is more deprivation. Furthermore, households with less members can better care for each child's education , health , nutrition and other needs, as fewer people can share whatever income they receive.
2.) Lack of knowledge in control birth
In addition, the lack of knowledge on methods of family planning rather than a desire for more children accounts for the inability to control births among the poorest families. The use of contraceptive methods would also minimize the number of abortions, which is always the last resort to cope with unintended pregnancies, even in the Catholic Philippines.
3.) Child Labor
As disturbing as it may be to say, in several areas of the world, child labor is still commonly utilized. UNICEF reports that around 150 million children, mostly in countries with a very few child labor laws, are actually employed.
These could lead in children being used by poor families as a source of money. In comparison, kids who start working too early are also missing the educational opportunities they should really be provided, specifically when it comes to birth control.
4.) Increase numbers of immigrants
Uncontrolled migration into countries will lead to population growth to the point that the necessary resources for their population are no longer accessible to those countries. This is especially troubling in countries where unemployment figures significantly outweigh mass migration statistics.
In certain situations, refugees in their own countries may be looking to avoid population growth, only to add to the same problems in the countries they are going to. There is also evidence, nevertheless, to show that immigration can improve economies.
5.) Reduced Mortality Rate
Medical technology improvements have led to lower mortality rates for many serious illnesses. Such advances have practically eradicated particularly dangerous viruses and ailments such as polio, smallpox and measles.
Although this is good news in many aspects, it also suggests that individuals live longer than ever before. In modern times, this "delay" in the life and death cycle has led to birth rates outstripping death rates by over two to one.
Environmental factors that contribute to Population Growth
Resource Usage
When the population increases, the amount of resources necessary to keep so many people alive is also increasing. Meat, water and fossil fuels are all consumed at record levels, putting higher demands on manufacturers and the environment itself.
Interestingly, it is the discovery of many of these natural resources that have led to conditions that are desirable for population growth, especially fossil fuels. A research has shown that, due to the increased use of these tools, the world's environment has changed quite quickly in the latter half of the 20th century than at any other moment in history.
Faster Climate Change
Population growth is also important because it influences the ability of the Earth to overcome climate change and absorb emissions, as land is changed for agricultural use to feed a rapidly growing population through deforestation. According to Population Action International, Areas with rapid population growth and high climate-change vulnerability overlap effects. Evidence indicates that the best and poorest nations Climate-related hazards are more vulnerable to classes within a population, such as hurricanes, droughts, and landslides. Several developed nations, the population is now growing more and more, increasing the population number of people who would be exposed to projected impacts on the environment other demographic trends, such as urbanization of the coastal zone population intrusion into ecologically marginal areas, such as threats to the ecosystem may be exacerbated as hillsides or damaged land.
Demise
The effect on the world 's wildlife of population growth is also a major concern. The loss of natural ecosystems, such as forests, is also rising as the demand for land rises. Some experts have warned that as many as 50 percent of the world's wildlife species will be at risk of extinction if latest developments persist. Data has also been gathered to demonstrate that there is a clear correlation between human population growth and declines in the number of species in the world. According to conservation folks, One of the species which has undergone population growth in recent years is humans. In reality, there are so many humans on the planet today that we're causing other species' population declines, as well as a host of other environmental concerns.
The rapid human population growth suddenly increase is placing extreme pressure on the resources of the planet. There are more and more individuals, so to live, we inevitably need more and more natural resources. We still over-consume and leave behind a proportionally large environmental footprint.
Habitat Destructs
The loss of their ecosystems is one of the key ways in which we influence various other animals. We need a lot of space for all of them to live and work, because we have so many people. Plus, we need land to farm food and provide a multitude of other services that are required. We don't blend into the natural world as we grow into new territory. We leveled forests, laid down pavement and constructed huge buildings, leaving animals with nowhere to go. We also indirectly kill ecosystems. Vital sections of nature are killed by pollution and changing environmental factors that exist because of the emission of greenhouse gases and other substances. We've lost half of the planet's coral reefs over the past 30 years due to increasing ocean temperatures and other changes in the climate. Coral depletion will contribute to the loss of biodiversity, as around a quarter of the world's marine species are supported by reefs.
The human population's rapid increase may seem like a symbol of the progress of the human race, and it is. However, it could also one-day trigger a global tragedy for the world's population. You may argue that the quality of life is already having a negative effect. To live, we rely on the natural resources of the planet, too. We can't over-extend them too far, or we're not going to be supported by the earth.
The rising population of humans is a major threat to many species of wildlife in the world, and could also be a threat to humans themselves. This is a large-scale problem, but you can do some things to help. Learning and sharing the word about these problems is one way you can make a difference. By purchasing only sustainably generated goods and otherwise living green, reducing the carbon footprint can also help. Another realistic means of promoting this cause is volunteering or contributing to environmental organizations.