Build A Kinder Earth

Many believe that overpopulation may be a contributor to environmental issues such as resource depletion and global warming. The Human population is currently recorded at over 6.6 billion and is expected to exceed nine billion by 2050 (1).

According to Population Connection, population growth since 1950 is a key force behind the destruction of 80 percent of rain forests, the loss of countless plant and wildlife species, an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and an upsurge in commercialization of up to half the earth (1).

What can be done to counteract the harm our growing population rate is having on the earth? Can anything be done to curb population growth? By providing contraceptives such as birth control to developing countries, the increasing population rate could be slowed. Developing countries such as India and Africa tend to have high population counts due to a lack of access to birth control and cultural practices and traditions that encourage women to have many children. Making birth control available to these women could help control the growth of population and therefore have a positive effect on the environment.

High consumption is another cause of resource depletion and other environmental problems. Americans, who represent only 4 percent of world population, consume 25 percent of all resources (1). Industrialization also adds to an increase in greenhouse gas emission, climate change, etc.

By better managing our consumption of resources and our population rate we will be able to contribute positively to our world, rather than causing harm to it.

1.http://environment.about.com/od/biodiversityconservation/a/population_grow.htm