Pop Goes the People: the Effects of Overpopulation

Pop Goes the People

Since the turn of the twentieth century, the world’s population has been rapidly expanding. From 1950 to 2005, the population of the world has climbed from three billion to six point five billion. By 2050, it is expected to balloon to nearly nine billion. The population now is so large that the earth no longer houses enough resources to sustain its people, which is the definition of “overpopulation”. The critical question is, why is this happening? There are several reasons. An increase in birthrate is the most obvious, but not necessarily the biggest contributor. Year by year, mortality rates decrease due to medical advances. Of course, a larger population can also lead to more diversity. Cultures “progress” and new technologies are developed every day. Also, saving as many lives as possible is considered to be moral, righteous, and beneficial. However, population growth, in an era of mass production and consumption, has resulted in a stressed planet plagued with natural disasters and environmental deterioration. The world’s resources are finite. In other words, the world’s population needs to be controlled immediately.

First of all, the population needs to be controlled because of limited space. In 1900, there were nearly twenty acres per person. The world, as it is today, has less than five acres per person, not taking into account inhospitable areas or the need for animal habitats. Five acres per person may sound like plenty, but that amount must include not only living space, but land on which to produce the materials for food, shelter, and clothing for each person. In addition, the land is not evenly distributed. Wealthy people and corporations often own thousands of acres, while in Africa, entire families reside within a few square feet. India has almost four times the population of the entire United States, and one hundred twenty-seven million people reside on the tiny islands of Japan. The Earth simply does not have enough space...