The human population in such a region as Latin America is increasing at a rapid rate than expected. Such a trend, in most cases, is highly likely to bring in some problems. In this paper, some of these problems are going to be identified, and some specific solutions are going to be suggested which may help in bringing about improvement regarding economic and social conditions in several nations in Latin America.
According to Jorgensen, rapid population increase is defined as “a quick increase in population” (Jorgensen, n.d, Para 1). Various factors contribute to rapid population growth in a region or nation. One of them is regarding a situation where there are higher birth rates as compared to death rates, especially in areas where there is no birth control and particularly, in less developed countries as opposed to industrialized nations where there is birth control.
Moreover, rapid population growth may be realized in a situation where the aged people do not die quickly but live for a pronged time and at the same time having no slow down in the birth rates. Several countries, especially in Latin America are realizing a rapid population growth as a result of the existence of such factors.
Rapid population growth has several effects; some of them are positive ones while others are negative. Among the positive effects is that an increase in population can lead to the supply of a population that would not have been there in the absence of rapid population growth.
The new population can make positive contributions such as labor supply that is diverse thus offering various talents and also may play a role in triggering more production due to increased demand. These factors serve to boost economy activity in a country. On the other hand, a rapid population can bring in problems. For instance, by the number of people increasing, this can lead to overpopulation.
In a situation where a nation experiences overpopulation, many problems can come in. One of such problems is lack of land. Much pressure can be put on land thus having an impact negative on the people. For instance, the lack of enough land can lead to starvation resulting from inadequate food production. Also, the lack of land may lead to homelessness or lack of quality housing (Jorgensen, n.d).
Another problem that can be associated with overpopulation is the lack of adequate waste control. Where there are relatively more significant numbers of people in an area, waste control becomes a big problem. It is quite important to find a site where the waste can be deposited to serve to maintain a healthy environment in which people can not easily come in to contact with poisonous materials.
Some of the toxic substances can enter drinking water causing such diseases as typhoid and cholera among other dangerous diseases. In various parts of the world where the governments lack the ability of effectively managing waste, there is experiencing many serious issues, and this turns out to be a great “public health” problem (Black, n.d).
There is no single major solution to the problems that are brought about by rapid population growth. The affected nations, especially in Latin America need to come up with solutions and where they are unable to solve these problems on their own, they need to be given assistance by such nations as the U.S who is their neighbor and developed.
Sadik (n.d) offers some solutions for these problems, especially the problem of food shortage that results from rapid population growth. One of the solutions is suggested is that, for the affected countries to solve the problem of inadequate food production due to limited land, there is need to consider other significant factors that influence food production on top of focusing on the agricultural sector.
These countries are supposed to put in place some strategic plans that help in ensuring that there is the incorporation of “population concerns such as population growth, distribution and rural-urban migration patterns” (Sadik, n.d, Para 10). There is also a need to come up with “community development strategies” that may be aimed at bringing together the basic social services and “production resources” (Sadik, n.d).
Also, strategies should be set up to deal with such issues as waste management to have a clean environment. This calls for the need to have programs in place that are aimed at waste control. There is a need to have special sites where the waste can be deposited. There may need to have advanced technology to do this effectively.
The developed countries such as the U.S also need to come in to offer financial and technological support. The U.S needs to play a major role in ensuring that the people in Latin American countries overcome the problems associated with the rapid population in region since a large number of these people are opting to leave their countries to seek better living conditions in the U.S.
If such a trend persists for a long time, more problems shall be created. Sadik (n.d) suggests that “sustainable development strategies which combat soil erosion, impoverishment, deforestation, falling agricultural output, and poor water management should also be implemented” (Para 11).
These measures will go a long way in dealing with the problems that result from rapid population growth in Latin America and other parts of the world to minimize the negative effects. Generally, these countries are supposed to set up policies that will, in the future, serve to control population growth such as family planning among others.
References
Black, K. (2011). What are the effects of population growth?
Jorgensen, A. (n.d). Effects of rapid population growth.
Sadik, N. (n.d). Population growth and the food crisis.