The Effects of Overpopulation

Paper Summary:

Overpopulation has been a highly contested topic for centuries. Varied opinions are voiced such as, when there is overpopulation, natural resources are depleted as a result of the need to sustain the rapid growth. Still others opine that it is not as much as overpopulation but population density relative to the availability of resources. The writer discusses that it is not much really a question of overpopulation but rather population density vs. available resources and population vs. consumption of resources. The United States government, as the remaining superpower, should lead the fight against the negative effects of overpopulation. The writer concludes that the U.S. should curtail its super consumer culture and temper exploitation of natural resources by providing means of replenishing what was taken from nature.

From the Paper:

"Whatever arguments there are on overpopulation, humans should be cognizant of the fact that population density should not be always the primary blamed factor but rather the actions done relative to population growth. Humans cannot simply lord over any and all resources without thinking that these are finite entities that need processes or plans to replenish. Emerging countries industrialization is not paying attention to environmental issues because of the feeding demands of their ever-growing populations. Misuse or depletion of the Earth's treasures to meet those needs, for example unsustainable logging, poor farming practices, and overfishing, threatens human life and health around the world. If these trends continue, humans might find each other fighting over basic resources such as food and water - and probably continue blaming overpopulation instead of the manner by which resources have been abused."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ehrlich, Paul and Ehrlich, Anne. The Population Explosion. January 1982. 23 February 2007. <http://dieoff.org/page27.htm>.
• Kasun, Jacqueline R. "Overpopulation?" lifeissues.net: clear thinking about critical issues. 31 December 2001. 23 February 2007. <http://www.lifeissues.net/writers/kas/kas_01overpopulation.html>.
• Nahle, Nasif. "Overpopulation." Biology Cabinet - Research and Advisory on Biology. 21 October 2006. 23 February 2007. <http://biocab.org/Overpopulation.html#anchor_13052>.
• National Geographic Society. Overpopulation. 2007. 23 February 2007. <http://www.nationalgeographic.com/eye/overpopulation/overpopulation.html>.

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