POPULATION GROWTH


The world is facing several sustainable development issues, and population growth is a major part of the problem.

A POPULATION

The number of same-specie organisms living in a particular geographic area at a particular time is known as a population. When these organisms reproduce and increase, then it is termed as "population growth". 

 

3 DETERMINANTS OF POPULATION GROWTH

Population growth is determined by fertility, mortality, and migration.

 

*fertility is the occurrence of live births among a population

*mortality describes the number of deaths among a population

*migration is the movement of population from one place to another

 

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Sustainable development revolves around making our world a better place for us without depleting the resource available for future generations. We want social and economic development, but at the same time, we have to conserve environment and fight climate change. The preservation of natural ecosystems is the responsibility of humans, and after all, our survival is also dependent upon the existence of these ecosystems. The smarter we use our natural resources, the more sustainable we are. 

 

OUR ENVIRONMENT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY! 


TRENDS IN POPULATION GROWTH

Our planet saw some drastic changes in population after the agricultural revolution and the industrial revolution. The metal plough three-field system used during the agricultural revolution led to an increase in food production, and this in turn led to a sudden population growth. Likewise, industrial revolution led to advancements in technology and medicine, which caused an increase in the birth rate.

 


According to United Nations Department of Social and Economic Affairs, the world population is likely to increase from 7.3 billion in 2015 to 8.5 billion in 2030

 

CAUSES OF POPULATION GROWTH

There many reasons why the world's population is rapidly increasing.

 

1. Better medical facilities and decline in death rate

2. Decrease in infant mortality rate

3. Lack of family planning

4. Lack of strict population growth laws

5. Lack of education

6. Better fertility methods like IVF and surrogacy

7. Agricultural advancement and more food production

8. Poor use of contraceptives 

9. Immigration

10. Child marriages and desire of a male child (more in South Asian countries)

 

FUTURE IMPACTS OF POPULATION GROWTH

We are already more than 7.5 billion people, and this number is likely to increase in the coming future. According to the UN, the population could peak at nearly 11 billion till the year 2100. Such a rapid rise in population can have many adverse effects on our environment.

 

1. Depletion of natural resources will increase with more population

2. More degradation of environment

3. An increase in global warming and rapid climate change

4. Deforestation resulting in habitat loss and extinction of species 

5. Rise in unemployment

6. High living expenses

7. More conflicts and wars

8. Food and water shortage

9. Starvation, malnutrition and famine

10. Increased intensive farming to meet more food demand

 

TAKE ACTION!

Actions need to be taken at global, state and individual levels to control population growth. The following is a list of measures that need to be taken immediately.

 

1. Governments, NGOs, and citizens should spread awareness.

2. Restricting child marriages

3. Efficient family planning programs should be introduced

4. Contraception should be available in urban and rural areas

5. Women empowerment and education

6. Media programs designed to promote population growth control

7. Population growth control targets should be set

8. Municipalities should set growth management boundaries


If we fail to manage our rising population, then soon we’ll end up using all of our natural resources and nothing will be left for the future generations. Uncontrolled population growth is a threat to the survival of mankind! 


Author: Amna Waseem (student of political science at Kinnaird College, Lahore, Pakistan)

 



Comments

  1. Follow for more environment related posts.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Quite relatable and yes we should have to take some strong initiative in order to get rid from these hazards more more to you girls..

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading and appreciating our work. Keep reading for more.

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  3. How precisely you have elaborated it! This issue must be highlighted on international level

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your appreciation. Yes, it must be highlighted at national and international levels.

      Delete

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