Ben Miller – Overpopulation and its effects on the environment
Purpose: For my news report, I wanted to convey how overpopulation is one of the largest environmental problems and needs to be dealt with quickly. I did this by showing a video that emphasized human’s exponential population growth and also by showing that developing countries are the biggest contributors to overpopulation and overconsumption of resources. My perspective was that we should start encouraging foreign governments to regulate population to two kids per household or less in developing countries. Also we should advocate for family planning and putting a price on carbon.
Discussion Questions:
- Given the scale of this challenge, what should we be doing today? Or how can we best prepare for this future?
- Should we make laws to reduce population or should we reduce consumption? If so, how?
- Since much of the problem in consumption and population lies with developing countries, is it fair for the US to expect the people of China or India to consume less than we do?
Additional Info:
- While the population stays relatively the same for more developed countries, less developed countries have shown to have a much higher rate, and are the main cause of over population.
- An increase in population at our current rate means several unwanted consequences for the future:
- Food consumption - To meet the projected global food demand, farmers will need to increase production by 70 – 100 % by 2025
- Land conversion: In order to keep producing food and expand agriculture, it means increasing water and energy use, but also converting more land and forests into farming ground.
- Energy consumption is projected to increase 150% by 2035, with the greatest growth in developing countries
- Fisheries are becoming increasingly overexploited or depleted
- Accelerated rate of water use
Sources/links:
- http://www.sciencemag.org/content/333/6042/562 - (Used real magazine)
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation PowerPoint – “State of the Environment Board” PowerPoint on Overpopulation and its effects
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