Too many humans is a risk to humanity
The world population is three times larger than it was in the mid-20th century. The global human population reached 8.0 billion by mid-November 2022 from an estimated 2.5 billion people in 1950, an increase of 1 billion people since 2010 and 2 billion people since 1998. The world population is expected to increase by almost 2 billion people in 30 years forward, from the current 8 billion to 9.7 billion in 2050 and could reach a peak of almost 10.4 billion in the mid-2080s.
This dramatic growth is driven in large part by the increasing number of people surviving to reproductive age, the gradual increase in human lifespan, increasing urbanization, and accelerating migration. Major changes in fertility rates also accompanied this growth. This trend will have a far-reaching impact on future generations.
There are many negative impacts if the world experiences human overpopulation, including:
1. Food Crisis
Rapid population growth increases demand for food production.
Overpopulation can cause food security problems, food shortages, and increased pressure on agricultural systems. This impact occurs in areas that are already overpopulated.
2. Increase in the number of unemployed
Overpopulation can produce a labor surplus, which then increases the unemployment rate.
This not only results in social instability but can also create conditions that support the emergence of problems such as poverty and crime.
3. Inequality in Resource Distribution
Overpopulation often creates inequalities in the distribution of resources.
Even though the population is increasing, not everyone benefits equally from the available resources.
This causes greater social and economic inequality.
4. Environmental Pollution
Do you know? An increase in population means an increase in waste production and pollution.
Air, water, and land pollution is becoming an increasingly complex problem and can result in long-term environmental damage.
The impact of overpopulation is influenced by:
Mortality
Mortality is a figure that shows the number of deaths for every 1,000 residents per year.
Birthrate
Natality is a number that shows the number of live newborn babies per 1,000 residents per year. The increase in the number of individuals causes the population density to also increase or become denser. The birth rate is directly proportional to the level of population density. The greater the birth rate in an area, the higher the population density.
Migration
Migration is the movement of people from one region to another with the aim of settling in that region. Migration can be caused by many things. The point is to survive or for a decent life. Examples of migration could be transmigration, urbanization, or immigration.
History of World Population Day
On 11th July 1987, the world population reached 5 billion. This moment became known as “the Day of Five Billion.”
In December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly decided to continue observing World Population Day to raise awareness of population issues, including their relationship to the environment and development.
World Population Day was first observed on 11th July 1990 in more than 90 countries. Since then, a number of UNFPA country offices and other organizations and institutions have observed World Population Day, in collaboration with governments and civil society.
In accordance with its objectives, World Population Day aims to address population problems throughout the world. Population issues cover many areas, from family planning, environmental impacts to human rights issues.
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