Population Growth

Population growth is a multifaceted issue that is a difficult one to solve. Human populations are ever increasing, and with this comes an increasing demand for resources. This includes things such as more land, more fuel, more food, as well as others. These demands impact biodiversity greatly, because they cause land that has previously been habitat to many different species to be used for building houses, or growing crops. The impact of humans on the environment and the resulting loss of many species is known to many as the “Sixth Mass Extinction.” Another part of the decrease in biodiversity that comes from increasing demands is the wars that result from the insatiable desires of many to acquire much more material goods than is necessary to sustain life. Population growth is an issue that can be found as a cause of many other threats to biodiversity. Increased pollution and emissions of greenhouse gasses, habitat loss or alteration, logging, resource overconsumption. All are results of an increasing population, and an increasing demand to exploit the resources of the planet. Because the population has already grown so much, and is expected to grow far more in coming years, to maintain biodiversity it is necessary for everyone to engage in sustainable practices, and change their behaviors to reduce overconsumption and pollution. Only with everyone working together can we save the biodiversity of the planet.

Sources:

TRI. "Population Growth and Biodiversity." Population Growth and Biodiversity. The Rewilding Institute, n.d. Web. 05 May 2015.