Population is linked with resources. Malthus (The
Economist) described the principle of population as "human population
grows exponentially (i.e. doubling with each cycle) while food production grows
at an arithmetic rate (i.e. by the repeated addition of a uniform increment in
each uniform interval of time). This model of population depicts the time when
human would have no resources to survive on. To avoid such catastrophe, human
must control the exponential growth of population.
In a global perspective, the coastal areas are mostly
populous because human survival requires water and moderate temperature.
Contrarily, Mountain and Barren areas are less populous because of their
extreme (hot or cold) temperature. Overpopulation is primary an alarming situation
for mostly developing countries like China, India, Pakistan etc, which must be
addressed. It’s a problem that leads to numerous other deadly problems
including terrorism and war.
Causes of Overpopulation
(i) Lack of Knowledge & Education: The
first and foremost reason of overpopulation is lack of knowledge and awareness.
A big portion of population of developing countries (like Pakistan & India)
is uneducated and totally unaware of pitfalls of overpopulation. They don't
understand and/or realize the scarcity of resources.
(ii) Poverty
is another bone of contention for overpopulation. People have limited scope of
earning in developing countries and connecting with the illiteracy, they
believe more the babies they would make more the helping hand they would get.
The same mindset leads to child-labor which is another international issue.
(iii) Governmental Programs: In
Pakistan there is no such efficient public awareness campaign has even been
established by government to address the population control and family planning
programs. Howsoever, some other countries are trying to control by different
means. China is famous for its "One Child Policy" which was
established in 1979 and successfully ended in 2015. Though they have somehow
controlled the population growth but faced dramatic demographic and gender
imbalance.
(iv) Reduced Rate of Mortality:
Where the developing countries are facing overpopulation because of illiteracy,
Lack of Knowledge/awareness and poverty, the developed countries like United
States of America and Canada are facing the same problem because of reduced
mortality rate, better medical facility and depletion of precious resources.
However, their current population and growth rate is not that alarming as of
developing countries.
Effects
of Overpopulation:
(i)
Brain
Drain/ Migration: Overpopulation leads to different
situations like brain drain, when highly skilled and educated people don't find
resources to utilize their knowledge and skills to earn money they migrate to
developed countries for occupation and better living standards. Developed
countries normally have resources more than they required so they welcome
emigrants, avail their services and offer them better living style.
(ii) Civil
War: Overpopulation also leads to civil war when populated areas shape up
into different groups and fight for the scarce resource and power to dominate
the area and control the available resource. Such civil wars can also be turned
into wars with the other countries then there are insufficient resources to
meet the required amount. In the book "My Struggle" Adolf Hitler
mentioned that he would get together all the Germans located globally and would
invade the countries where they were so could feed them with abundant
resources. And for the same sake he attacked Russia, but he was defeated by
Russian Military.
(iii) Ethnic
Conflicts: Overpopulation when meets poverty causes ethnicity
conflicts. Since the resources are scarce and dominant ethnic group believes
they are mightier than the minority group. The same is undergoing in the Burma
where the Muslims are being massacred. However on the other hand, Switzerland's
economy is stronger so despite of rich ethnicity there is no such ethnic
conflict prevails.
(iv) Deforestation
& Global Warming: When population of an area increases
the demand for residence also increases. Here comes the deforestation, when
human cuts the trees off to make colonies for residency, which causes dramatic
climate disturbance and eventually world faces the Global Warming.
(v) Poverty: When
population escalates it elevates the poverty too. The "Feminization of
Poverty Theory" states that when poverty prevails it affects the women
first before affecting the men. For instance, companies layoff female staff
first in case of such rightsizing under economic downturn.
Conclusion:
So the unpropitious population must be controlled by
educating people, awareness campaigns, governmental policies and economic
stability programs. Otherwise the time is not so far when the world would get
into a war for resources for survival.
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