Population Growth and Human Activities

Population Growth and Human Activities on the Environment

This paper explores the impact of population growth and human activities on the environment and earth's ecosystems. The result of the research conducted suggests community interaction and education may enable population growth at a speed that will not destroy delicate biosystems. Research also suggests without some intervention, population growth can become uncontrolled, which would result in large-scale damage to the environment or shortages of natural resources. These ideas and more are examined in the passages below.

Dynamics of Population Growth through Community Interactions

Community interactions provide the ideal forum for studying the dynamics of population growth. It is through community interactions that researchers can identify cultural and ethnic factors that may contribute to or detract from community and population growth. Communities in need of assistance in the way of extra hands to farm the land or search for labor, as is the case in many developing countries, may command a higher population growth than in areas where population growth has lead to overcrowding and excessive pollution and drain on vital supplies (as is the case in some Asian regions) for example (Birdsall, Kelley & Sinding, 2001).

Mulligan (2006) explores the logistic population growth of 500 cities in the world, showing population growth varies from city to city, contingent on whether cities have high or low economic development. There are signs based on urban logistic growth research suggesting population growth can be controlled and monitored through community clubs and political organization that is inclusive rather than dictatorial in nature (Mulligan, 2006). What this means is human beings can adapt and monitor population growth by exploring the impact of population growth in various regions of the world and among the world's largest cities (Mulligan, 2006). Population growth need not be excessive if human beings join as a community to grow in a respectful and practical manner.

Concept of Regulation of Population Growth through Community Interactions

Rapid population growth proves a "strong deterrent to per capita economic growth and development" (Birdall, Kelley & Sinding, p. 24). There is ample evidence that third world countries tend to "benefit" when population growth slows, because this allows for more time for the economy to catch up to the rapid increase of people living in or adjacent to formerly natural environments (Birdall, Kelley & Sinding, p. 24). Community interactions in the world's largest cities consisting of education related to the process of ecosystem destruction and the removal of natural resources can help deter population growth in areas where natural resources are in decline and pollution is on the rise (Mulligan, 2006). Communities that understand the toll population growth has on the environment are more likely to take action to protect the environment and conserve natural resources by monitoring population growth and encouraging restoration of the environment rather than encouraging larger families (Mulligan, 2006). Community actions are more likely to be tolerated than mandates that declare population growth must be limited by force (Mulligan, 2006).

Evaluate Effects of Human Activities on Ecosystems and Biosphere

Excessive population growth can destroy ecosystems and impact the biosphere in many negative ways (Birdall, Kelley & Sinding, 2001; Mckee, 2003). Activities that drive a technologically oriented society may include the cutting down of ecosystems in rain forests for wood that will be used by consumers constantly in demand of "natural" furniture, flooring or housing (Birdall, Kelley & Sinding, 2001; Mckee, 2003). Excessive consumption of materials for personal use may lead to "anemic ecosystems and economic recovery" (Birdall, Kelley & Sinding, p.24).

It is a proven fact that population growth tends to decrease biodiversity by destroying ecosystems and tiny organisms that lead to organic life forms (Mckee, 2003). This is largely due to the massive consumption associated with rapid changes in population, which often result in excessive toll on the environment (Mckee, 2003).