Category: Overpopulation

Introduction

Overpopulation is among the most pressing environmental issues in modern-day society. The rapidly growing population may be attributed to the witnessed reduced mortality rate, thanks to advanced healthcare services, a situation that has resulted in the depletion of vital resources, specific factors of production. Nonetheless, some scholars such as Gore view the level of agricultural productivity and the advancement in technology as happening at a rate that can counter the impact of the growing population, implying that overpopulation is not a threat to the global environment (34).

However, from a Malthusian point of view, a close examination of the impact that a four-billion rise in the global population has had on the currently limited factors of production, including land, is enormous to warrant mitigation strategies from countries such as the U.S. (Gore 34; Hardin 171). As a result, in this debate, I support the motion that overpopulation poses a significant threat to the global environment and that measures such as the establishment of family planning policies and setting a limit on the number of children for families in particular countries can help to address the issue.

The Role of Human Activities

In support of the motion that the global population is too large and that the United States and other industrialized countries should support active measures to control population growth in the developing world, it is crucial to observe how excessive human activities have led to the race for resources, congestion in urban areas, unemployment, and the lack of housing. According to Gore, it is difficult to sustain such a population-based pressure that may be quantified as equivalent to introducing a new country the size of Mexico every year (34).

Those who uphold the Malthusian school of thought agree that an average of 3.3% increase in the global population is considerable relative to the number of resources available to address the unfolding food demands and greenhouse-gas effects (Hardin 174). For instance, the human footprint is evident in the depletion of the ozone layer through the burning of oil and wood. Over the past two decades, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased exponentially.

An increase in the number of people occupying a geographical area has the effect of augmenting carbon dioxide through increased respiration of animals and plants. Another factor promoting the greenhouse effect is the uncontrolled deforestation to accommodate the increased population through food production. According to Hardin, efforts to counter food production through strategies such as the “Green Revolution” have not been fruitful, owing to their counter effect on the available forest cover (180). It is also prudent to state that tropical rainforests, which earlier balanced the situation, have become a significant target for settlement to counter congestion associated with overpopulation, a situation that is threatening the global community.

Secondly, according to Princen et al., the alarming rise in the global population is a threat to human existence when analyzed from the perspective of consumerism and consumption (2). The rate of consumption of the available but scarce resources endangers the current and future generations. Borrowing from the opinion by Princen et al., if the development of sustainable schemes in countries such as North America ends up subjecting the future world to unfathomable global warming issues following excessive and unhealthy consumerism and consumption practices, it suffices to regard overpopulation as a threat to human existence. For instance, the burning of fossil fuels has become rampant, resulting in devastating impacts on the global climate.

In California, the U.S., forests are experiencing severe fires that destroy vegetation and surrounding settlements (Princen et al. 6). According to the authors, the failure of business people to recognize the contribution and cost of pollution from their activities or products is worrying (Princen et al. 6). Hurricanes, forest fires, flash floods, the massive melting of ice caps in the Arctic, the drowning of bears, and the extinction of animal species signal the level of the threat posed to future generations.

Another critical effect of overpopulation on the environment to support this motion is the shortage of water and other essential resources. As the population continues to explode, finite resources such as freshwater, frontier forest, fertile lands, coral reefs, and fossil fuels are depleted (Princen et al. 7).

As a result, the available resources are stretched to sustain a large number of the consumer population. For instance, in developed countries such as the U.S, consumption of the available rare resources may be more than ten times what is spent in emerging economies such as Kenya (2). Despite many emerging countries being smaller relative to America, the fact that the majority of them are dry, especially in Africa, reveals the extent to which vital resources such as water are being depleted through irrigation schemes, hence posing a substantial threat to human existence because the absence of such a commodity implies starvation, malnutrition, and consequently death.

The Necessary Measures

In the effort to solve the effect of overpopulation on the environment, the global community needs to engage in countermeasures that either halt rapid population growth or regulate the rate of birth, especially in developing countries. Firstly, according to Sinaga et al., society needs to be sensitized and trained about the need for incorporating effective family planning strategies (2).

Overpopulation in developing countries such as Ethiopia may be caused by early marriages, an increased rate of birth, and the lack of proper education on family planning methods (Sinaga et al. 3). Family planning involves the control of the number of children an individual can have under a given interval using either sterilization or contraception. If all countries in the world could devotedly adopt the plan, the world could significantly cut the current excessive population, hence reducing the prevailing pressure subjected to the available factors of production.

Another solution may involve the establishment of policies that discourage early marriages and the birth of more than two children in all families in countries that are already overpopulated such as China and the U.S. or developing ones, for instance, Kenya (Diamond). Such policies should also reveal to the global population the deadly impact that overpopulation has on the current and future generations.

According to Walker, sensitizing worldwide communities may involve a mention of issues such as political instability, poverty, migration, and clashes that are linked to overpopulation, including the role that they (communities) have in preventing such occurrences (981). Through such policies, the world may appreciate how a manageable population scheme with sufficient resources can be more productive compared to an overpopulated entity that fights for the available rare factors of production.

Conclusion

This motion confirms that indeed overpopulation directly leads to environmental degradation. For this reason, the global society should unite to fight this menace that has led to global warming, the scarcity of resources, and the degradation of the quality of life. To safeguard the environment, national and international institutions need to be prepared to handle overpopulation. For instance, active policies on population control, for instance, family planning, discouraging early marriages, and setting a limit on the number of children for families in specified economies can help to address the issue of overpopulation.

Works Cited

Diamond, Jared. “What’s Your Consumption Factor?” New York Times, 2008. Web.

Gore, Albert. “The Sole Remaining Superpower vs. the Population Bomb.” New Perspectives Quarterly, vol. 16, no. 2, 1999, pp. 34-35.

Hardin, Garrett. “Lifeboat Ethics: A Malthusian View.” Dialectics of Third. World Development, edited by Ingolf Vogeler and Anthony De Souza, Allanheld Osmun, 1980, pp. 171-85.

Princen, Thomas, et al., editors. Confronting Consumption. MIT Press, 2002.

Sinaga, Makeda, et al. “Effectiveness of the Population Health and Environment Approach in Improving Family Planning Outcomes in the Gurage, Zone South Ethiopia.” BMC Public Health, vol. 15, no. 1, 2015, pp. 1-12.

Walker, Robert. “Population Growth and its Implications for Global Security.” American Journal of Economics and Sociology, vol. 75, no. 4, 2016, pp. 980-1004.

No, I do not think that the nightmare scenarios of the demographers are exaggerated. The population of our world has almost quadrupled in the last century and it has been estimated that within twenty years it will increase by another billion. Another concern for the demographers is that while in certain developing nations the rate of population growth has been increasing, in the developed countries it has been found to be declining steadily. Demographers are worried that this variation in the fertility rates may lead to agitations, destabilization and poverty in certain areas, which further justifies their concern. They also feel that an increase in education, development in contraception and modernization will help to lower the present fertility rates so that population is stabilized. I also think that their concern is justified since even a small change in the fertility rates could affect our population in billions causing even more social and economic mayhem.

The scramble for available resources may lead to economic and social instability and conflicts. Our increasing population will certainly put a massive pressure over our global environment and will also affect our water, food and power supplies. This can result in economic and social instabilities causing conflicts over available resources. Our population has almost reached 7 billion. This is expected to grow over the next years. Thus, with so many people the availability of resources will be affected with everyone trying to obtain resources for themselves. This will result in mayhem causing social unrest. If the current economy is, unable to support such a huge population it will become unstable and collapse creating conflicts among all for resources.

It is my opinion that we can control and even reduce our growing population rate but have to do it in a natural and respectful manner promoting the human rights of the people. The best way to do this is to educate the people, especially the women and girls of developing countries so that they understand the effects of overpopulation. I also think that the media could help in educating the people by providing them with options and information that make them aware of ways to conduct family planning for their better future. The policy makers at various levels need to pay proper attention in order to stabilize our population, as their decision will affect the future generation’s well being and quality of life. Population needs to be controlled only to a certain level and we should to it that the rates do not fall below the replacement rate of fertility.

The Chinese opted for the One-Child policy to control its population explosion in the last century. However, over time it has been found that this policy created a number of financial problems and an imbalance in their population growth. Thus, it is my opinion that due to its long term side effects the policy may not have been totally right. When the policy was implemented, there were many infanticides and forced abortions since most people wanted a boy child who was more valued than the girls were. Although the birth rates were controlled, the male births outnumbered that of the females. Today there are more men and fewer women in China. Thus, they are facing a decline in their workforce and this is making the policy a threat for their society.

Human behavior and decision-making optimally rely on the constructs of the moral and ethical frameworks. Different societies uphold dynamic ethical principles, hence the distinction and variation on behavioral contexts. One of the philosophical mainframes that significantly influence the interpretation of the relationship between human behavior and ethics enshrines utilitarianism (Parfit 7). Despite the various foundations of utilitarianism, it involves the association of actions based on the good will of the majority, hence the subjective nature to individualized domain. It is an individual responsibility to engage in an act or make a decision that fosters significant benefit to the vast population percentage. Over the decades, there is a profound utilitarianism effect concerning the increasing human population that highly affects quality of living universally. The structuring of the human society aptly relies on the concept of two-dimensional approaches, that is, right and wrong profoundly attributed by utilitarianism.

Utilitarianism is a philosophical construct that offers an insight into the confinement of human behavior as either right or wrong. Research establishes that human behaviour mainly focuses on the essence of intent and the outcome (Browning and Walter 2). On the one hand, the deontological concept establishes that it is highly important to consider the human intent to engage in a particular action as a formative aspect of justifying right or wrong. On the other hand, Bentham founded the utilitarian concept through the teleological spectrum. According to the teleological foundation, it is crucial to determine right or wrong based on the measure of the outcome. Therefore, utilitarian concept indicates that it is paramount that personnel engage in acts that render more happiness among the counterparts. Ideally, an action that is right fosters more happiness and lesser pain and suffering among the counterpart. The controversial baseline focuses on the outcome of an action despite the moral and ethical implication of the distinctive engagements.

There are different values posed by the utilitarian concept across the human population regarding ethical and moral implications. According to research, the core aspect of enhancing quantitative utilitarianism lies in the aspect of determining the interdependence between certainty and uncertainty, purity, fecundity, extent, and propinquity and remoteness (Mill 2). One of the issues with the utilitarian concept encompass the subjective nature of happiness and pain. Despite the attempt to define the significance of different human engagements, Bentham lacks the adept insight onto the perceptive baseline concerning the formation of a community mainly because of the imperative overview concerning happiness and pain. The philosopher indicates that quantitative utilitarianism renders the necessity to incorporate measures that improve community members’ well-being. Therefore, a community is formed based on the common interests among the counterparts. However, the controversy lies in the ability to determine the gradients fostering the measure. Notably, as a subjective overview, utilitarianism renders an apt weakness based on the reliance of determining the value of the outcome without justifying the profound essence of intent as either wrong or right.

In a different spectrum, the utilitarian philosophy plays a crucial role in understanding human behavior and projecting the relevance of the relationship. The comprehension of utilitarian concept significantly contributes in the determination of ethical considerations during policy-making. It is the responsibility of key stakeholders to uphold the core foundations of a truth. According to Browning and Walter, utilitarianism needs a rethink due to the controversy that emanates from the profound initiative on defining the truth (2). Although a conglomerate fosters the determination of the truth, it is crucial to determine the happiness index among the entities involved. Fundamentally, utilitarianism fosters the foundation of objective insight during the decision and policy making session.

The reliance on happiness among the majority is one of the sustainable practices that improves the well-being of community members. Sustainability is the incorporation of strategies that enhance trickle-down of accrued benefits among the dynamic institutions. Utilitarianism is an initiative that fosters the alignment of policy making decisions along the gradient of improving the quality of living (Parfit 8). On the one hand, the concept renders the controversy on ethical considerations mainly because of the adept focus on the outcome than the intent. Contrary, the framework attributes to the core indication of community members’ interests. An excellent demonstration is the intent of an individual to intentionally cause harm among the elderly by signing them up in the care institutions for the old age personnel. However, the elderly finds happiness from the resolution due to the opportunity to interact with the peers. Although the intention involved isolating the elderly from the family members, it is rightful due to the profound outcome on boosting the individual’s happiness index.

Utilitarian concept is dynamically exploited across distinctive mainframes to determine the significance of dynamic occurrences. According to research, one of the controversies that demands the use of utilitarianism philosophy in understanding the significance is overpopulation and the impact to the quality of living (Smart and Bernard 4). Since the advent of technological advancement, different initiatives steered the boost in the human population increase and emergence of distinct issues. Research establishes that the increase in the populace is a multifaceted phenomenon that highly affects the quality of living and the natural environment. Computerization fostered the intensification in human activities based on the automation of systems and processes. Further, the practice rendered movement of people from different regions and the interaction causing relationship buildings. Overpopulation is a necessity mainly because of the intensified levels of human activities and the importance of balancing supply and demand.

Within the environmental spectrum, overpopulation negatively impacts nature’s aesthetic value due to the promptness to create settlement areas. In this case, people clear trees and pristine natural areas to accommodate the increasing human populace. According to the quantitative utilitarian concept, deforestation is a justified practice based on the core outcome of intensified happiness among people while compromising the aesthetic and pristine state of the natural environment (Parfit 10). However, deforestation and increased human activities exploiting natural resources caused globalization and climate change. In the short-term, the overexploitation of natural resources attributed to the increase in human population reflected through the happiness index. Researchers establish that there is an interdependent relationship between sustainability and community members’ happiness index.

In the short-run, the consideration of the utilitarian concept hindered the derivation of projected negative effects of the endeavor. Nevertheless, the long-term perspective on the interdependent relationship between sustainability and people’s happiness index is a utilitarian context with a hedonic outcome. Research indicates that the rate of human population increase profoundly impacts the quality of living due to the influence on the interdependent relationship (Browning and Walter 5). The researchers further depict that the core mandate among the counterparts involves incorporating measures that render adept effect to all entities. A smaller population with higher margin in wealth acquisition poses lesser utilitarian effect than a larger population with lower margin on the quality of living. Primarily, the main goal encompasses the considerate volume amassing the increased happiness index.

The pursuit of happiness is a multidimensional phenomenon across the overpopulation and quality of living spectrum. One of the vital sustainable initiatives appreciating utilitarian concept is the advocacy for the regulation of human population increase. The increase in the human population is a necessity in the establishment of a consumption market for the products. However, research indicates that it is crucial to enhance a balance in the distribution of resources (Mill 4). Therefore, the implementation of the utilitarian concept focuses on the essence of communistic and socialism tendencies than the capitalistic economic foundations. The main reason enshrines the reliance of the happiness index based on the volumes than the quality. As a result, it is preferable there is a compromise in the quality of living than the essence of discriminate distribution of wealth causing the marginalization of communities and varied levels of poverty.

Within the economic construct and its relation to globalization, the utilitarian concept aptly advocates for the human population increase regulation. According to research, one of the steering factors that foster the marginalization of populations based on wealth acquisition include capitalism (Parfit 11). The economic philosophy focuses on the privatization and optimal acquisition of wealth that is contrary to the communism approach. There is proficient application of the utilitarian concept in the communist countries mainly because of the promotion of equality regarding the distribution of wealth. Nevertheless, the aspect poses a profound challenge to the improvement in the quality of living at the expense of happiness index among the community members.

The application of the utilitarian concept steers sustainability and globalization while disregarding the apt essence of capitalism. The core mandate of overpopulation regards fostering the establishment of a market hence balancing supply and demand. The notion is prominently fostered by the aspect of technological advancement and sustainability. However, the globalization overwhelms the capitalism effect to render the core happiness index based on the better quality of living (Parfit 12). It is the key responsibility of leadership to implement policies that enhance distributive social justice. Globalization optimally reflects utilitarianism mainly because of the focus on enhancing a significant connection among people globally despite the geographical distance. The perspective fosters an intensified happiness index due to the exchange of socio-cultural and economic values.

An intensified exchange of socio-cultural values globally attributes to the identification of a social identity among the community members. The identification of a social identity significantly contributes in self-awareness that trickles-down to the increase in the happiness index. Therefore, globalization is a facilitator of the utilitarian concept based on the vital goal to promote self-realization across the global human population. In a different spectrum, sustainability further dictates the efficacy level of globalization essence mainly because of the focus on effective distribution of the accrued benefits (Parfit 15). Apart from the exchange of socio-cultural values, institutions extend business practices across various regions to enhance the economic growth and development. Globalization significantly relies on the coordination of all community members despite the challenging issue on population increase.

Utilitarian philosophy renders a significant insight concerning justified human behavior and the relation to ethical and moral conduct. On the one hand, there is a profound controversy regarding the advocacy for ethical considerations mainly because of the focus on the outcome than the intent and process. In this case, it is easier for an individual to violate a regulation with an aim of enhancing happiness among the majority. Although the approach fosters the improvement on happiness among the counterparts, it is challenging based on the subjective essence (Smart and Bernard 6). On the other hand, the measure of happiness and pain is subjective on people’s perception concerning certain issues. Ideally, the application of the utilitarian concept across the distinctive frameworks fosters the understanding regarding the importance of distributive social justice system despite the steering interdependent relationships.

Consequently, utilitarianism contributes in the foundation of right and wrong across distinctive mainframes on human activities and behavioral context. Different administrations use dynamic approaches in the advocacy for equality. Therefore, an intersection of the utilitarian concept with the distinctive conceptual mainframes renders an understanding regarding the promotion of ethical considerations. It is the mandate of the institutional leaders and individuals to engage in activities and processes that intensify the quality of living. In this case, the solution to the shortcoming from the application of utilitarianism lies in the aspect of advancing implementation of sustainability practice. The lack of clarity on the interdependence risks the incurrence of apt negative effects to the effect of human behavior. Utilitarianism applies to the socio-cultural, economic, and political domains to establish the significance of equality and distributive justice system. The confinement of human engagements to right and wrong attributing to optimal happiness renders the core foundation on sustainability and globalization while exploiting technological advancement as a facilitation tool.

Works Cited

Browning, Heather, and Walter Veit. “Does utilitarianism need a rethink? Review of Louis Narens and Brian Skyrms’ The Pursuit of Happiness.” Journal of Economic Methodology, (2021), pp. 1-10.

Mill, John Stuart. “2001. Utilitarianism.” The basic writings of John Stuart Mill (1863), pp. 1-10.

Parfit, Derek. “Overpopulation and the Quality of Life.” The repugnant conclusion. Springer, Dordrecht, (2004), pp. 7-22.

Smart, John Jamieson Carswell, and Bernard Williams. Utilitarianism: For and against. Cambridge University Press, (2008), pp. 2-16.

Introduction

As the number of individuals on Earth continues to increase, the issue of food and sustaining the resources that people need to survive becomes more evident. Although in recent decades, the agricultural and food production industries have developed methods to manufacture food, the use of pesticides and other chemicals threatens the sustainability of these processes. This may lead to the industry’s inability to reproduce certain foods, which may cause starvation for future generations. The approach to examining the topic is as follows: the first section will explain the problem, while the next one will detail potential solutions and actions that people and organizations followed by a summary of the main points. The purpose of this research is to address the problems of modern food production and its effect on the environment. Humanity must focus on protecting the biodiversity of the planet because the Earth is losing its capacity to sustain industrial agriculture.

Problem Statement: Capacity to Produce Food

Humanity has mastered the ways to grow crops and produce foods. However, despite the achievements in food production that have not addressed the issues of hunger fully, the natural resources that are exploited and the harm caused by pesticides and agricultural practices can already be seen. According to the Bread of the World organization, approximately 882 million people still experience hunger, both in developing countries and well-developed nations such as the United States (“About Hunger”). According to Montagini and Berg, “the planet is losing about 0.3 percent a year of its capacity to produce food due to soil degradation” (98). Therefore, the issue explored in this paper is the decrease of Earth’s natural resources and capacity to produce food re decreasing, while the problem of hunger remains and the population continues to increase.

The current agricultural practices do not support the sustainability of the Earth and do not address the nutritional needs of people. Dwivedi et al. Note that industrial agriculture fails to contribute to a healthy diet, while the Bread of the World uses the term “hidden hunger” to describe the issue of people not receiving the nutrients they need from their foods (“About Hunger”; 842). Still, these industrial practices contribute to deforestation and increased emissions, and the use of pesticides destroys the useful insects needed to sustain biodiversity.

Sherman and Montgomery state that multiple factors in a person’s environment affect their health (462). Diet and food consumption, as well as safe water supplies, are some of the major contributors to one’s health and wellbeing since people’s bodies use the nutrients to repair and sustain themselves. Hence, the problem of industrial agriculture and biodiversity is multifaceted and relates not only to the potential decrease of the Earth’s capacity to produce food but also has a direct impact on people’s health. If people do not consume nutritious foods, they are in a state of hidden hunger, which is why paying attention to agricultural practices is important.

Solutions

The degradation of Earth’s resources is gradual and slow, which is why not much attention is dedicated to this issue. However, if no action is taken now, future generations will face the problem of hunger, both hidden and actual. Preservation of biodiversity by actively engaging in the protection of certain lads and by forbidding the use of chemicals that destroy not only harmful but also useful insects is one way of addressing the problem. Montagne and Berg state that the Aichi Biodiversity Target 7 outlines the need to find a balance between the protection of biodiversity and the production of goods (99). The authors outline solutions, such as preserving biodiversity islands, which are protected lands in areas with high population density.

Another step is reviewing the existing food production methods and transitioning towards sustainable food production. Actions, such as the use of efficient cookstoves and alternative fuels used in food manufacturing, can address the greenhouse emission and resource depletion problem (Montagini and Berg 98; Kendall et al. 10 ). The use of alternative fuels is especially important since round unprocessed timber is still used to produce meals. Naturally, the widespread use of agricultural practices that do not contribute to the extinction of useful insects and do not pollute the soil are also necessary. Dwivedi et al. also argue that a transition towards consuming less livestock and more plant-based products can contribute to these improvements (842). However, this requires a change of paradigm in the way people and companies approach food production and consumption and awareness of how these practices affect the biosphere.

Conclusion

In summary, humanity has to dedicate attention to the sustainability of food production immediately. Despite the development in industrial agriculture, many people still live in hunger; some of them experience hidden hunger because they consume non-nutritious foods. The agricultural practices contribute to the destruction of forests and useful insect species, as well as pollution of the soil and emissions. These points support the argument because currently, the Earth is losing 0.3% of its food production capacity each year, and the population continues to increase.

Works Cited

“About Hunger.” Bread of the World, Web.

Dwivedi, Sangam L. et al. “Diversifying Food Systems in The Pursuit of Sustainable Food Production And Healthy Diets.” Trends in Plant Science, vol. 22, no. 10, 2017, pp. 842-856.

Kendall, Corinne J. et al. “Teacher Training as A Means To Sustained And Multiplicative Behavior Change: An Example Using Fuel‐Efficient Stoves.” American Journal of Primatology, vol. 83, no. 4, 10-20.

Sherman, D. S. and Montgomery, D. R. Environmental Science and Sustainability. Norton & Company.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Transforming our world – Feeding the world – Florence Montagnini, Kjell E. Berg, 2019.

Overpopulation presents a huge threat to the future of the planet, as the resources of the Earth seem to be at the breaking point because of their overexploitation caused by enormous rates of population increase (Chiras 480). The analysis of the phenomenon of overpopulation is of vital importance for understanding the possible solutions to this urgent problem.

A thorough understanding of the overpopulation of humans is essential to being a well-educated person in today’s society as this topic influences all spheres of the functioning of the global community. Every well-educated person should be aware of the most urgent issues that affect the future of our planet and humanity and participate in the process of finding solutions to them. Analyzing the causes, consequences, and possible ways of dealing with this problem and occupying a well-grounded social position on this topic should be considered one of the primary duties of every well-educated person of modern times.

The overpopulation of humans relates to numerous disciplines outside biology. Ecology is directly related to this topic, as global effects of overpopulation include collapsing ecologies that influence the environment in all parts of the world (Cafaro and Crist 3). Overpopulation is also related to medicine, as modern healthcare systems all over the world face negative consequences on the health of the population and have to search for medical methods of dealing with the problem. Besides, overpopulation is related to social studies, as increased rates of unemployment are caused by the enormous number of people living on the Earth. Social studies aim to find the premises for overpopulation in distinct regions and analyze the results of certain policies on regulating birth rates.

The social implications of overpopulation include unemployment, increased urbanization, and spreading poverty (McKinney, Schoch, and Yonavjak 50). Besides, armed conflicts can be considered a social implication of overpopulation, as an enormous population causes competition for resources. The majority of deaths in domestic wars occur in highly populated countries (McKinney, Schoch, and Yonavjak 50). Such social consequences lead to the creation of certain policies regulating birth rates in the countries facing severe overpopulation, e.g. China. Besides, the social implications of overpopulation shape the face of modern community structure and business, as the lack of employment opportunities for the youth caused by extensive birth rates heavily influence the jobs sector and people’s attitudes to employment. Ethical implications of overpopulation include the conflict between the right of every human to procreate and have children with the necessity to decrease birth rates. The ideas of some scientists about sterilization (Jargin 694) and Chinese experience in policies restricting the number of children appear to be effective in terms of decreasing birth rates but can be considered unethical and not humanistic. Therefore, modern society has to deal with the problem of contradiction between ethical values and the urgent necessity to decrease birth rates across the globe (Hayes 1044).

Science has the power to deal with the practical side of the process of decreasing birth rates by providing appropriate scientific data related to the development of certain methods of preventing further growth of population and organizing the existing knowledge in the form of explanations of the threats of overpopulation and potential solutions. However, science is unable to answer questions related to the ethical aspect of the ways of controlling birth rates and predict the reaction of the global community to the employment of certain methods.

Overpopulation is considered one of the biggest problems of modern times as it has negative effects throughout the world (Pimentel 151). The analysis of specifics of overpopulation of humans and its global effects helps to understand the significance of the problem and the urgency of finding effective solutions.

References

Cafaro, Philip, and Eileen Crist. Life on the Brink: Environmentalists Confront Overpopulation, Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press, 2012. Print.

Chiras, Daniel. Human Biology. 7th ed. 2012. Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones & Barlett Learning. Print.

Hayes, Pip. “Overpopulation is Main Driver.” British Medical Journal 342.7806 (2011): 1044. Print.

Jargin, Sergei. “Ethical Challenges in an Age of Overpopulation.” South-African Medical Journal 100.11 (2010): 694. Print.

McKinney, Michael, Robert Schoch, and Logan Yonavjak. Environmental Science. 5th ed. 2013. Burlington, Massachusetts: Jones & Barlett Learning. Print.

Pimentel, David. “World Overpopulation.” Environment, Development, and Sustainability 14.2 (2012): 151-152. Print.

I have always wondered how people will manage natural resources if the population continues to rise further. Overpopulation is a usual topic because of its strong influence on the contemporary world. It is necessary to find the ways to solve future problems as the situation is likely to worsen over time. This essay will examine potential solutions for the issue and explain the possible problems of overpopulation, which cause my concern.

Reasons for Concerns

An increased population leads to greater natural resources use. Some areas are known for high fertility rates, which can be explained by a low technical development level and education. Newton (2016) states that “among the legal immigrants from Asia, the nationality that grew the fastest between 2000 and 2010 was Indians (an increase in population growth of 68%)” (p. 53). To characterize how humans affect the environment, it is worth mentioning that having one child results in about 23,700–117,700 kg reduced carbon dioxide output per year (Davis et al., 2019). In certain areas, the population growth is not controllable, and the environment may not withstand the humans’ presence.

Possible Solutions

To stabilize the situation, people should accept the methods of overpopulation management. According to Newton (2016) “the optimum population of an area is the largest population with a reasonably satisfactory lifestyle the area can sustain” (p. 59). It is possible to establish specific planning of family size in areas where governments detect such necessity. In addition, according to Davis et al. (2019), “Canadian undergraduates are principally concerned about the consequences of environmental dissolution because of the impact that it may have” (p. 98). The mentioned quotes prove that it is possible to correct people’s thinking about overpopulation and manage the future situation.

Conclusion

To conclude, I assume that overpopulation is a close danger that can make the general quality of life throughout the world worse. Some areas have a poor education system, which leads to high fertility rates. Carbon dioxide output grows with every born human, and it creates more pressure on the environment. People should stick to the optimum area populations, correct family sizes, and improve the knowledge about overpopulation to manage the issue.

References

Davis, A. C., Arnocky, S., & Stroink, M. (2019). The problem of overpopulation: Proenvironmental concerns and behavior predict reproductive attitudes.Ecopsychology, 11(2), 92-100. Web.

Newton, D. E. (2016). Overpopulation: 7 billion people and counting. Enslow Publishing.

Globally, overpopulation is becoming a growing source of concern. It refers to population expansion in a single place when the area becomes overcrowded, exceeding its natural capacity. A visit to India triggers in mind when overpopulation is mentioned as a global social problem. India has a yearly population growth change of over 0.99%, increasing the density per kilometer to 464 people. Overpopulation brings about poverty and an increase in the sizes of slams which results in an increase in diseases and an increased birth rate. The poverty rate in India, according to 2021 statistics, is that 68.8% are poor, 30% of them earning a daily salary of 1.25$; this makes India among the poorest countries in the world. Due to overpopulation, India has encountered many challenges: high infant mortality, malnutrition, child labor, lack of education, child marriage, HIV and AIDs.

A solution to all these struggles can begin with a huge sacrifice from the Indian government, an introduction of a disease that only kills a range of 55 years and above and improves the health of young people. The death of the aged reduces the population by 10.2% of the total population. This solution will create employment opportunities for the youths since they will replace the old job market and get creative by developing furnaces to burn the dead.

Reasons why the solution will work:

1. The aged population has little to offer to the country’s economy.
2. Employment to the youth reduces poverty.
3. Youths are more productive to the economy than the old.
4. The government will not need to give money for welfare payments to the aged.

The idea of the world becoming overpopulate and suffering from the drastic lack of resources as a result has been represented as a major future threat in the media. Indeed, the existing evidence shows that the world has seen an unprecedented rise in the number of people being born and reaching a rather old age, mainly due to a rapid increase in the efficacy of healthcare (Dyett & Thomas, 2019).

However, the observed trend also creates a sufficient premise for concern, especially given the finite nature of most resources (Dyett & Thomas, 2019). Nevertheless, despite the legitimacy of the concerns raised over the slow availability of numerous resources and the seemingly drastic and steep increase in the number of people worldwide, the issue of overpopulation is likely to self-regulate in the nearest future, therefore, reducing the threat.

A range of resource provide information that indicates steep and ostensibly uncontrollable rise in population. For instance, the U.S. Census Bureau has created a peculiar and quite useful tool, which contributes to the understanding of the effects of overpopulation, yet creates rather unnerving effect (U.S. Census Bureau, 2021). Still, even with an impressive rate of one birth per eight seconds that the U.S. currently demonstrates, the issue of overpopulation appears to be exaggerated (U.S. Census Bureau, 2021). Specifically, the described rate does not take the life expectancy issue into account along with the positive effects that the rise in the number of people on local and global scales produces. Namely, an increase in the production process and the opportunity for collaboration suggests a rise in the pace of progress.

Overall, even given the current rate of population growth, the challenges of overpopulation are likely to be addressed naturally in the future. Moreover, an increase in the number of people worldwide implies greater opportunities for collaboration and development. Therefore, the phenomenon of population growth should not be seen as a major concern but, instead, should be regarded as an opportunity.

References

Dyett, J., & Thomas, C. (2019). Overpopulation discourse: Patriarchy, racism, and the specter of ecofascism. Perspectives on Global Development and Technology, 18(1-2), 205-224. Web.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2021). U.S. and world population clock. Web.

The issue of overpopulation is getting more heated nowadays. The planet is not able to sustain the ever-growing population. Considering those problems, specialists from varied fields of science have engaged in an active debate regarding fertility control. The following paper aims at observing the key arguments for and against the position “the world would be better off with fewer people”.

Addressing the key arguments for the position “the world would be better off with fewer people”, it important to note that they are integrated around the concept of scarcity. Particularly, the proponents of fertility control support their position by the fact that the degrading environment is no longer able to provide for the needs of so many people, and with the duration of time and increase of the population, the problem will become much worse.

Next, they state that without interference into the state of affairs with the environment, people may even lose their habitat and thus, the planet will not be able to support life at all. Another argument is that the size of the population is not the only problem since its structure is also of great importance. This means that the countries with a growing population face social problems because their governments are not able to provide economical and political security to their citizens (Parker, Seager & Lind, 2009).

Further, the key arguments against the position“the world would be better off with fewer people” are based on the idea of more efficient distribution of resources and “technological improvement” in the developing courtiers (Parker et al., 2009, para 28). The opponents of population control state that technology is able to solve the problem of scarcity and environmental pollution. Furthermore, they quote the opinions of scientists who present the data demonstrating demographic development and the number of people the planet is capable of sustaining. Based on the findings of those specialists, the opponents of population control state that the planet is able to provide for the larger population.

In addition, people supporting this position argue that poor countries have appeared in such a situation, not because of the size of their population, but because “they lack some combination of modern technology, efficient economic systems (including public agencies as well as markets), equitable distribution of wealth and constitutional and accountable government” (Parker et al., 2009, para 34). Finally, those who oppose fertility control make an emphasis on the ethical and moral implications of the issue.

Speaking about my own position on the issue, it is necessary to note that I tend to support the proponents of population control. Scarcity is an important variable that should be taken into account when important decisions regarding the future of humanity are made. People should understand that resources are limited including clean water, food, fuel, etc., and for that reason, family planning is the only way to improve the situation. No one would want to see their children starving, being unemployed, and having no meaningful purpose in their life. Similarly, no honest person would want to see one’s fellow humans in such a situation. Therefore, the time has come to interfere into the family planning matters just the same as they did in China.

In conclusion, since the resources of the planet are getting more and more limited, humanity must develop a strategy that will improve the situation. Definitely, the opponents of population control have some strong arguments to support their position, but the facts of reality demonstrate that mandatory family planning has become necessary.

Reference

Parker, J., Seager, J, & Lind, M. (2009). Too many people? Web.

Globalization is a process when the integration of economies and societies increases worldwide. As a result, the world becomes more interconnected due to the exchange of goods and products, information, knowledge, and cultural values. On the one hand, globalization has many positive aspects: the mutual enrichment of the world community, the exchange of best practices, and the availability of goods. On the other hand, globalization has negative effects: a growing social and economic gap in the population, lack of climate justice, and overpopulation.

The Importance of the Issue

The problems of globalization can negatively affect everyone’s life, so it is important to identify and stop them. Growing social and economic inequality contributes to the growth of poverty and the concentration of wealth in a small part of the population. Without climate justice, it is impossible to achieve understanding in the global community, without which the fight against climate change is impossible. The overpopulation problem leads to a deterioration in the quality of life of both people in overpopulated areas and less populated areas.

The Research Question

The main research question is how to overcome the negative aspects of globalization and take only the sides of this process that are beneficial for all humanity. Despite the positive aspects and the need for globalization, the negative aspects cannot be overlooked. The world community should consider reducing the negative aspects of the globalization process as its main agenda. The process of globalization cannot be stopped, so it is important to pay attention to the growing negative issues.

The Possible Answer

The process of globalization needs to be made more inclusive and gentle, focused on improving people’s lives. First of all, it is necessary to provide people with the opportunity to take advantage of rapid digitalization and technological changes, regardless of social status. Government involvement is required to develop a wide range of structural policies to achieve this goal. They should include social protection of the population, increased investment in education, and infrastructure development. For the struggle for climate justice to be successful, it is necessary to raise awareness of radical climate change among all global community members. This includes educational lectures, posters, dissemination of information on the network. Increasing personal awareness and responsibility will lead to the cooperation of people and states in the fight against climate change.

Strategies to combat overpopulation may include women’s empowerment, government promotion of family planning, and enhancing the prestige and quality of educational programs. Increasing access to education and work for women will help prevent early pregnancies. Informing about the need for competent family planning at the state level contributes to a more conscious approach of the population to the issue of childbearing. Finally, increasing the prestige, accessibility, and quality of education will improve the general level of awareness of the population, which will be able to plan the creation of a family.

The Target Audience

This study will be important for both sociologists and ordinary people. Since the negative consequences of globalization affect the entire world community, they also affect every individual. The search for a solution to the problem of the negative impact of globalization will be interesting, including at the state level, since it can offer possible solutions that have not been taken into account. Finally, the study will serve as an important part of raising public awareness of global issues. This is especially important because only collectively people can find and apply suitable solutions.