The Problem with Overpopulation

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YouTube channel Vsauce and SciShow are highly educational and I recommend watching their videos. Tackling the problem of overpopulation they both state that if the 7 billion people on earth were to gather in a single place hand in hand (elbow to elbow) the amount of land used would be close to the size of Los Angeles. Putting this into perspective it would be about twice the size of Jakarta. So lack of land wouldn’t necessarily be a problem. Though, I don’t know how 7 billion people in Los Angeles could put up with each other.

The barrier that slows and threatens population growth is limiting factors such as lack enough food & water or illnesses. The agriculture age put aside scavenging and hunting. Growing crops allowed times other than harvest for recreation and the surplus of food left space for growth. And with that came specialization of workers for building, blacksmith and trading. The industrial revolution in the 18th century boosted production through superior efficient machinery. Fast transport via trains with refrigeration allowed meat and dairy products to persist resulting people to get their food pyramid and in general increase life expectancy.

Human population throughout the centuries wasn’t safe and steady growth. Take the Black Death in the 14th century for example. Cities allow for people to live in close quarters. Lack of hygiene among common folk and trading among merchants and ships let the flea transmitted disease to easily spread. Soon the Bubonic plague engulfed Europe and 30 to 60% of Europe’s population was killed.

In today’s world technology and research advancement prevents another tragedy from happening and the human population grew from 1 billion to 7 billion in 200 years. Without any limiting factors the population will surely hit the ceiling. Or will it? The problem with overpopulation isn’t land as discussed previously. According to SciShow the strain goes to the freshwater and food supply. Seawater is inconsumable and 70% of freshwater are frozen. While food is abundant in developed countries a large sum is consumed by livestock. Not to mention the energy crisis.

Fortunately studies show that the rate of growth is declining. People in developed countries are having fewer babies. Education prevents unwanted pregnancies. Japan is actually having fewer babies than deaths. Population will peak at 2070 where it will reach 9 billion but afterwards the number will retreat and hopefully the population problem will be no more.

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2013/01/world_population_may_actually_start_declining_not_exploding.html

http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?zid=11d616917c0a0f5ee6b8ca9018471361&action=2&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ2181500192&userGroupName=clov94514&jsid=1276d8bbb5aa3ac8e1818f0d2be323d1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD-yN2G5BY0