Overpopulation and resource depletion as environmental crises

Fate of Earth

The world population is growing at an astounding rate. As the population clock is racing towards the 7 billion mark, we are faced with a huge problem. [U.S. Census Bureau] A problem of balancing the ever-increasing demands for the earth's natural resources and the fast depleting sources. Our over dependence on fossil fuels to meet the surging energy requirements has already started to show dangerous environmental consequences. Acid rains, global warming, Stratospheric Ozone depletion, climate change, air pollution, destruction of marine ecosystems, deforestation - all these environmental problems have a common underlining issue that of over population and the ensuing resource crisis. Current population projections indicate that in another 50 years, the world population is slated to increase by 40 to 50% creating a huge strain on the already scant resources. With already 1.1 billion people or 1 out of 6 people in the world lacking access to safe drinking water, we can easily imagine the looming crisis that is ahead of us. [World Water Council] The population explosion is a real problem for Earth. Our over exploitation and depletion of natural resources has destroyed the natural ecosystems that have evolved and been sustained for billions of years. These precious natural resources such as air, water, fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas have to be wisely used to sustain the growing population demands. A brief outlook into these important environmental issues and a discussion of the alternative and sustainable solutions to the pressing problems would provide more insight into the problem.

Water Crisis

Water is undoubtedly one of the most basic human needs. Growing human population implies more demand for fresh water for drinking, cooking and sanitation. As water is also needed for agricultural purposes, shortage of water also affects the food production. However, only 3% of the water on earth is fresh water and only a third of this is accessible for us. The rest of the fresh water remains in a frozen state in the form of polar ice caps and glaciers. [WWF] Almost half of the World's 500 rivers are polluted. [Blue Planet] Of the available fresh water over 70% is used for agriculture, 20% for industrial use and only 10% for homes. [WWF] There are two types of aquifers replenishable and non-replenishable. The replenishable aquifers can supply water as long as they are recharged by natural phenomenon of rain. The non-replenishable aquifers however cannot be recharged and once all the water is pumped out they cannot supply anymore.

With the projected population growth, there is going to be more demand for water for agriculture. Around the world there is increasing drop in levels of the water table due to over pumping and over exploitation of water for agricultural needs. A case in point is the depleting water table in the Northern China Plain, the fertile region in China producing more than half of the country's wheat and one third of its corn. This has forced the farmers to bore deep to tap into the fossil aquifers to continue irrigation. However, as the World bank report states, "Anecdotal evidence suggests that deep wells [drilled] around Beijing now have to reach 1,000 meters [more than half a mile] to tap fresh water, adding dramatically to the cost of supply" The report also warned of "catastrophic consequences for future generations" [Lester Brown] Population overgrowth, increasing agricultural water demands, fast depleting non-replenishable fresh water sources- the equation presents a gloomy picture. Shortsighted policies and blind exploitation of water resource will have serious environmental repercussions.

Conclusion

There is no question of doubt that we are faced with a huge problem. Population growth and the need for more energy and other natural resources have driven us to a crisis stage. Carbon-based economies are creating a havoc to the earth's delicate ecosystems by increasing Greenhouse gas emissions and disturbing the natural climatic cycles. There is an urgent need to address these problems in order to prevent a catastrophic turn of events. Our planet has survived billions of years but just one century of explosive growth of human population and irresponsible exploitation of natural resources has raised serious concerns about the 'The Fate of Earth' in the 21st century. Will the planet be able to survive the onslaughts? Will it be able to sustain life when the very life sustaining water, air and its soil are exploited and polluted by its greedy inhabitants? The answer is 'Not for much longer'. The only hope rests in being sensible and alert to the danger we have incurred upon ourselves. Going green and seriously focusing on renewable forms of energy is the only way that we could save this planet from the impending disaster.