Consequences of Over-Population, Essay Example

In 1900, the earth had a population of about one and a half billion people. By 2000, earth’s population had quadrupled to six billion people. Most of these people live in the developing world.

The most significant consequences associated with over-population are the substantial as well as adverse impacts on the environment whose origin dates back in the 20^th century (Nathan, 2001). In addition some economic consequences are also notable due to the environmental degradation exhibited as the attrition of ecosystem services. There are also some moral rights of some of the species which are in existence in place of their extinction which is far much beyond the environmental harm that can be verified. Environmental author, Rebecca,  has said that “our burgeoning population and urban way of life have been purchased at the expense of vast ecosystems and habitats. … It’s no accident that as we celebrate the urbanization of the world, we are quickly approaching another historic watershed: the disappearance of the wild.” (Rebecca, 2002). Therefore, the consequences of the population explosion, of which climate change, air and water pollution, the destruction of forests and wilderness areas, and the loss of biodiversity. These consequences can be averted if humankind has the wisdom to maintain the balance between its needs and the resources that are available to sustain them.

There is also a need for Sustainable development in order to prevent situations of famine. The most common causes of famine relate to the economic boom in the urban regions resulting to the escalation of the food prices. This in essence results to a situation in which the rural population undergoes starvation to an extent of death due to their low wages.

Fertility rates remain high in developing nations because there is a desire for children for the purpose of provision of labor as well as care givers to the aging parents. The lack of access to contraceptives is yet another contribution to the high fertility rates in these regions. The lower rates of the employment of the females in the existing industries are yet another contributing factor.

Reference

Rebecca, S. (2002).Overpopulation, Earth at risk NY: Chelsea House Publishers.

Nathan, A. (2001). Overpopulation: crisis or challenge. NJ: F. Watts.