The increase in the number of cities has been associated with that of repeated ecological disaster. Rapid regional deforestation, the depletion of ground-water aquifers, accelerated soil erosion, plant genetic simplification, periodic outbreaks of disease among pest species and domesticated animals, large-scale human malnutrition, and the development and spread of epidemics are some of the results we have witnessed as a result of unbridled population explosion in cities. Ecological decline in many of cities have resulted in the overall deterioration of the environment, geography and quality of life. Resources Issue & Sustainability

The fact that the world population is rapidly approaching six billion and is having a detrimental impact upon the world's natural resources is now worrying the people at the helm of affairs. Both national and international policy makers worry whether the earth can sustain the rapid growth in population particularly in certain underdeveloped regions of the world. Depletion of natural resources through overuse and destruction of ecosystems by development and pollution seriously threaten the survival of the planet and so the issue of sustainability is raised. "Less developed countries will increase in population from 4.4 billion in 2000 to an estimated 7.7 billion in 2050 (according to UN projections). In contrast, populations of more developed countries are expected to remain around 1.2 billion, due to fertility levels near replacement levels. Even with some improvements in current technologies, the projected increase in developing countries will put severe strains on ecological and economic systems" (Recon, 2004). In order to ensure sustainability different policies need to be adopted. Stringent conservation of resources and reduced demand is one way of achieving environmental sustainability.

Alternate View

Ever since we have witnessed the population explosion different people have been giving different views about its repercussions. For some people the impact is more environmental, an imbalance of people to natural resources that threatens sustainability. To others the problem lies with the economic aspect, perpetuating an endless cycle of misery and poverty rather than population explosion itself. Also to some it is the unequal distribution of world wealth and population imbalances that are...

There are others who think that problem has become aggravated by systematic oppression of women. Whatever the point-of-view regarding the reasons of harmful effects majority still perceives it as social issue, degrading the quality of life through overcrowding and increased crime. Hence, overpopulation is a multi-faceted problem, at one time both cause and effect of a myriad of social, economic, and environmental issues. "The poverty of Russia, India, China, Somalia, and Brazil is the result of cultures and governments that do not let people act capitalistically. We know this because in recently poor areas where people are free to so act, they thrive: Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea. (These are not perfect free markets, but they are substantially market-oriented.) They have experienced rapid economic growth-along with population growth-while their neighbors, with lower population densities and more abundant raw materials, remain destitute. What the poor countries have is not overpopulation but over governance" (Richman, 1993).