Cause and Effect of Overpopulation

Introduction

The population growth rate of human beings is quite worrying. Towns, streets, and schools have been overcrowded due to rapid population growth. For instance, by 1960 the earth harboured a population of 3 billion people. However, by 2010 the population had doubled. The reasons are crystal clear. Increased immigration and birth rates, and a decline in the rate of mortality, are evident causes of overpopulation. When the number of people surpasses the carrying capacity of a particular area, overpopulation occurs. We all know that resources are usually limited. ("Human Overpopulation Causes, Effects, and Solutions")

Although the population of human beings has been escalating in a continuous manner since 1400, the most dramatic increase has been in the last 5 decades. Chiefly as a result of availability of food and good medical care. The availability of food renders humans sexually active, which in turn, takes population growth to unclimbable heights. In addition, advancements in medical care decrease the death rate ("Causes and Effects of Overpopulation")

The effects of overpopulation are self-explanatory. When birth rates go up, natural resources get exhausted. This creates unforgiving economic strains at home. Consequently, we deplete fisheries, forests, plant, and animal species. Overpopulation is prominent in Africa, especially in the Sub-Sahara region, China, and India - an undesirable recipe to impoverishment. It is unfortunate that high levels of illiteracy and ignorance have facilitated overpopulation, as these people struggle to appreciate the role of family planning. Malnutrition, starvation, high Carbon (IV) Oxide content in the atmosphere, pollution, and global warming are the problems that come with overpopulation.

Child labour, juvenile crime, and truancy owe attribute to poverty. Children seek other means of survival because their parents cannot adequately provide for them. This scenario produces a corrupted breed of pessimists who see the world as a bully. Parents should not, therefore, relieve themselves of the obligation to raise their dependents in the best way possible.

It is by no coincidence that China has implemented birth control policies. In China each family is allowed to have one child only. China has an astonishing population of 1.4 billion people, and the number could have multiplied uncontrollably, were it not for the birth control strategy.

Conclusion

Interestingly, the poor families prefer having more children. To do justice to ourselves and our dependents, we must have few children. This shall enable us to give our children the best education, medication, food, and other incentives. They will have a good future and meet challenges ahead with pride. In this way, poverty, and crime rates would reduce to manageable levels.