Overpopulation in World

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Updated: Dec 08, 2024
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Category:Analytics
Date added
2021/04/19
Pages:  4
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Spread across seven continents and divided into 195 nations, Earth's 7.6 billion inhabitants shape the human story of our time.

As of 2018, there have been no definitive issues regarding overpopulating the planet, but this subject worries many scientists and scholars. The rapid increase in population is the main concern; the projected population in 2050 is estimated to be 10 billion people (John C Caldwell). While no one knows precisely when overpopulation will occur, the uncertainty surrounding its consequences is unsettling. The critical question is: What happens when resources, land, and materials start to dwindle among billions of people desperately searching for these essential survival tools?

This essay will argue that overpopulation poses a significant threat to our planet's sustainability, primarily through its impact on food resources.

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It will explore potential strategies to mitigate these effects, emphasizing the need for a global effort to manage resources wisely and develop innovative solutions for food production and distribution.

Many experts have ideas on how to tackle the food supply problem, such as National Geographic's insights on the future of food. According to Business Insider's article on population growth, nearly 220,000 people are born every day, further compounding most resource and environmental problems. Once these resources become scarce, it could lead to intense competition for food and essentials, threatening global stability. The planet cannot indefinitely support an ever-increasing number of inhabitants, and the issue is that no one knows the tipping point. This uncertainty underscores the urgency of addressing potential food shortages, which could result in millions of people suffering from hunger.

Already in 2018, we are facing food supply shortages in some parts of the world, resulting in one out of every eight people not having enough food to eat (Chelsea Follet). This statistic is alarming and suggests that in 50 years, with billions more to feed, the situation will worsen. The direct link between food supply and overpopulation becomes more intense as the issue draws closer. Moreover, the rapid increase in population over the past century highlights the urgency of finding solutions to prevent future crises.

Feeding the world's current population of over 7 billion people is already a significant challenge. National Geographic discusses the daunting task of feeding over 9 billion people in the near future. The spread of prosperity worldwide is driving increased demand for dairy, eggs, and meat, putting additional pressure on agriculture to produce more to feed livestock. If current trends continue, population growth and richer diets will require us to roughly double the amount of crops we grow by 2050.

With billions of people on Earth, it is up to us to manage resources wisely and leverage technology strategically. Humans rely on land, oceans, fisheries, forests, wildlife, rivers, groundwater, air quality, weather, and climate to produce the optimal amount of food. Ehrlich, a Stanford University population biologist, argues that humanity is heading for calamity. He believes that the issue is not only the number of people on Earth but also the consumption of natural resources.

Since World War II, the world population has nearly tripled, resulting in a dramatic increase in human activity, such as damming rivers, excessive water use, expanding cropland, increased irrigation, deforestation, and motor vehicles polluting airways. The most significant impact, however, is the expansion of cropland. Many farms have expanded their land, not only for increased revenue but to contribute to global food security.

Agriculture has the most significant impact on the rising issue of the population's food supply. National Geographic outlines a five-step process to increase food supply amongst billions of people. Step one is to freeze agriculture's footprint by halting land clearing in certain areas for more agriculture. Destroying ecosystems and trading tropical forests for farmland is one of the most destructive environmental actions, yielding minimal benefits for the 850 million people worldwide who remain hungry. Much of the land cleared for agriculture in the tropics does not significantly contribute to global food security but instead produces commodities like soybeans, timber, and palm oil, which, while essential, do not address food supply effectively.

Step two emphasizes producing more crops on existing farms. Since the 1960s, using better crop varieties, more fertilizer, irrigation, and machines has incurred significant environmental costs. In regions like Latin America, Africa, and Europe, there are yield gaps between current production levels and those possible with improved farming practices. Utilizing high-tech farming systems and organic farming methods could significantly boost yields in these areas.

Efficient resource use is also crucial. Commercial farming has innovated by better applying fertilizers and pesticides using computerized tractors with advanced sensors and GPS. Tailored fertilizer blends minimize chemical runoff into waterways. Organic farming reduces water and chemical usage by incorporating cover crops, mulches, and compost to enhance soil quality and conserve resources. Farmers have also improved water management by replacing inefficient irrigation systems with precise methods like subsurface drip irrigation. Advances in both farming types can yield more crops per drop of water and nutrients.

Step four advises altering diets to find more efficient ways to grow meat and shift to less meat-intensive diets. Transitioning from grain-fed beef to other meats like chicken, pork, or pasture-raised beef could substantially increase food availability. While developing countries may not reduce meat consumption soon due to newfound prosperity, focusing on countries with meat-rich diets, such as Europe and North America, could make a difference. Reducing biofuel use from food crops would also enhance food availability.

Finally, step five involves reducing waste to maintain a clean and nutrient-rich planet. In poorer countries, food loss often occurs between the farmer and the market due to unreliable storage and transportation. In developed countries, consumers could reduce waste by serving smaller portions, eating leftovers, and encouraging waste-reducing measures in cafeterias, restaurants, and supermarkets. Of all options to boost food availability, tackling waste is among the most effective.

By following these five steps, we have a better chance of managing the population-to-food ratio effectively. The timing of a potential crisis involving starvation and resource scarcity remains uncertain, but respecting our land will significantly impact the global food supply. Overpopulation is inevitable, but it is our responsibility to control the amount of food and resources we consume. By committing to these strategies, we can work towards a more sustainable future, ensuring that our planet can support future generations. The challenge of overpopulation and resource scarcity demands proactive, innovative solutions, and collective global action to secure the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants.

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Overpopulation in World. (2021, Apr 19). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/overpopulation-in-world/