High population growth is destructive to the society and the environment. For this reason, some countries like China have put measures in place to curb the ever-growing population.
In 1978, the Chinese government implemented one child policy and today couples are not allowed to have more than one child (All girls allowed, Inc, 2011). This paper aims at discussing issues of population growth and its impacts on the environment.
In my opinion, the “one child policy” in China is a good way of controlling population growth to reduce environmental problems. In fact, this policy is beneficial to the people of China in many ways.
This policy helps in improving the environment, ensures enough resources to cater for all, few people suffer from poverty, boosts economical growth, there is no overcrowding, and it ensures less pollution of the environment (All girls allowed, Inc, 2011).
In the US and Germany, the rate of population growth is estimated to be 0.6 and 0.0 percent respectively (Barry, 2007. This is evident that the population is growing at a lower rate in both countries. Considering that both countries are not overcrowded, the one child policy may not be necessary in checking population growth for both states.
One of the most effective ways of creating a balance between man and the environment is through population control (Malthus, 1993). For a long time, there has been competition between man and the environment.
This is evident because of the increased environmental degradation that has led to disasters like drought, famine, and floods. Notably, natural resources do not increase at the same rate as population growth (Malthus, 1993). As population increases, more land is cleared causing deforestation and destruction of water catchment areas.
The population of different countries affects the world although there is high-rise in population in some countries than others. It is high time the world took necessary measures to reduce pressure experienced on the available natural resources. It is important to limit the level of population growth to save the environment.
High population puts a lot of pressure on land and other natural resources as people try to explore ways of surviving (Malthus, 1993). However, the current technology has not completely solved food and housing problems for the high population (Barry, 2007).
In most African countries and other developing countries, the population increases at a very high rate but the current technology has not reached to a level of supporting the high population. It is therefore important for the global community to make joined efforts in population control (Malthus, 1993).
It is clear that high population growth has caused many environmental problems. People have destroyed animal’s habitat and destroyed natural vegetation in order to accommodate the high population. Indeed, the competition between man and natural resources has created imbalance in the environment (Barry, 2007).
Due to increased land use, many environmental problems have emerged. Land has lost fertility, rivers have dried up, and forests have been cleared to provide enough room for the highly increasing population.
In summary, population control remains the only factor that can solve environmental problems such as water pollution, poverty, overcrowding, deforestation global warming, drought, and famine (Barry, 2007).
As such, family planning should be provided to all people across the globe. Different countries should develop policies to emphasize the use of family planning and other population control policies to reduce population growth and save the environment.
Reference List
All girls allowed, Inc. (2011). One child policy statistics. Web.
Barry, J. (2007). Environment and social theory. Oxford: Taylor & Francis.
Malthus, R. (1993). The Theory of Population. New York: Foundation for Classical Reprints.