Population Growth in Perspective Essays - 3294 Words

Population Growth in Perspective Introduction To anyone even remotely acquainted with the situation, the ever-expanding world population can easily be a cause of grave concern. Indeed, the simple realization that the total world population will most likely be doubling within the next century may seem to imply catastrophe. Considering the strain our current huge population puts on the world, is it not natural to presume that two times our number will spell disaster? While this is the view held by many prominent voices, there also is a less-noticed group of people who contend that the resiliency of the earth and the ingenuity of its people will keep the planet a decent place to live. In this paper, I attempt to critically examine†¦show more content†¦Generally, people have operated under the assumption that the world was (or was on its way to being) overpopulated. I began my research in this topic with the same outlook. I initially wanted to research overpopulation because I was deeply concerned with its implications. I wanted to understand the causes of population growth and to learn what might be done to ameliorate the problem. Soon into the research, however, I happened upon pieces of literature opposing the idea of an overpopulation crisis and immediately respected certain aspects of their arguments. Quickly, I was forced to change the scope of my question from what will be the consequences of overpopulation? to what exactly does overpopulation mean? and does an overpopulation problem even exist?. History of Population Crises The seed of my doubt that an overpopulation crisis was imminent was planted when I began to examine the historical record of population concerns. As a history major, I have at least some respect for patterns in history. While I recognize that new things can emerge, often a current event is a variant on an earlier expressed theme. Regarding population, the first documented concerns over population size date from a Babylonian epic from 1600 BC (Cohen, 1995). More writings on the topic across the globe have continued since then, themselves probably increasing at a rate faster than theShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Growing Population1374 Words   |  6 PagesA Growing Population: Problem or Excuse? The current worldwide population is around 6.9 billion and is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050 (Baird). This projected population number is down from the once predicted 16 billion (Baird) and while some are not concerned others are worried by any increase in population. Population growth is discussed in the articles â€Å"Too Many People?† by Vanessa Baird; â€Å"Population Control: How Can There Possibly Be Too Many of Us?† by Frank Furedi; and â€Å"The PopulationRead MorePopulation Growth Is A Crisis Or Not?1273 Words   |  6 PagesPopulation growth is a great concern of some scientists and this topic has been debating for decades. Increasing of population has been put pressuring on natural resources because of demands of production and consumption are high. According to the BBC horizon documentary (2009), number of current population is about seven billion, seven times more than the last 10,000 years. One main factor of rapid population growth is el iminating from infected diseases. In the last 10,000 years people had a hugeRead MorePopulation Dynamics and Its Effects on Climate Change Policy1306 Words   |  5 PagesPopulation dynamics and its effects of climate change policy Population growth and its effects on climate change have been hotly debated in recent years by scientists and politicians alike. The Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC has sparked great interest and concern over climate change and how it affects countries differently. The concept of environmental justice has focused on climate change’s unbalanced effects on developing countries, whose populations are more vulnerable to climate changeRead More Overpopulation of the Earth Essay1698 Words   |  7 Pagesnearly 6 billion people in the world. The world’s population has more than tripled in the span of a hundred years. Given that the earth’s population is constantly on the rise and seeing as how our natural resources are gradually being depleted, we must ask ourselves: what is to become of us and what is to become of our environment? In order to understand this question we must first have a thorough understanding of whether or not there is a population crisis. Havi ng understood this, we must then lookRead MoreThe Problem Of Expanding Population Essay1363 Words   |  6 Pagesexpanding population is one both of wonder and catastrophe, as civilizations have risen and fallen throughout time. Collapse (Diamond) touches on this concept of population growth (or change) often, especially because a civilization is, after all, nothing without its population. Using Collapse, we can quickly start to analyze what a growing population entails. Early on, Diamond touches upon the implications of an expanding population. When a civilization starts to have a high rate of growth, they mustRead MoreOverpopulation1587 Words   |  7 Pages The population of Earth is estimated to be seven and a half billion, and the current growth rate per year is around eighty million. Since the world’s population is constantly growing at such a high rate, some people believe that it will lead to the downfall of the human race, while others think it is beneficial to continue on this path. The ongoing debate on world overpopulation allows many different people to offer their unique opinions, such as Erle C. Ellis, Joel Kotkin, Robert Walker, and AlonRead MoreEffects Of Population Growth Of India947 Words   |  4 Pagespoint in its life? Population growth happens to all of us, but how much is too much? India is in this questionable stage right now. How many people is too much for this country to handle? Every country goes through 4 stage s of population and they go through growth, stability and decline. India is in a growing state right now and this will continue until it stabilizes itself. One might look at the povern state India is in right now and see that it is the cause if its population problem but othersRead MoreThe Climate Disaster Is Inevitable Or Not?896 Words   |  4 PagesThe climate disaster is the social construction that world population have been embedded this idea through one generation to another generation in society. Actually, it seems like the long-lasting issue for not only regional level but also global level. Several studies might have demonstrated the causes and significant impacts of climate crisis. It is still popular argument in society, whether the climate disaster is currently inevitable or not. If it already occurred, what are the main factors?Read MoreEssay on Population Growth and Standard of Living945 Words   |  4 PagesPopulation Growth and Standard of Living Recently, the human population on this planet surpassed an amazing milestone. In the year 2000 it hit 6 billion, and without a sign of slowing down, continue to increase at an unprecedented pace. After taking nearly 3 million years to reach our first 1 billion, it has taken us only 11 years to raise our population the most recent billion (from 5 to 6). This rate of growth can be graphically interpreted as a J-shape pattern. If the past is any indicationRead MoreThe Limits Of Growth ( Tltg )1558 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction At the time it was written, The Limits to Growth (TLTG) was groundbreaking in its modeling, analysis and subsequent predictions of future trends. It is a policy paper pushing for sustainable development, coupled with technological modernisation. This essay will examine TLTG through an ecocentric lens. First, this paper will briefly summarise ecocentrism. Second, it will discuss TLTG and its findings in a contemporary context. It will be argued that TLTG ultimately failed in its ambition