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OVERPOPULATION
Various Causes of Overpopulation 1. The Decline in the Death Rate At the root of overpopulation is the difference between the overall birth rate and death rate in populations. If the number of children born each year equals the number of adults that die, then the population will stabilize. 2. Agricultural Advancements Technological revolutions and population explosions occur at the same time. There have been three major technological revolutions. They are the tool-making revolution, the agricultural revolution, and the industrial revolution. 3. Better Medical Facilities Following this, the industrial revolution started. Technological advancement was perhaps the biggest reason why the balance has been permanently disturbed. 4. More Hands to Overcome Poverty However, when talking about overpopulation, we should understand that there is a psychological component as well. Poverty is considered as the leading cause of overpopulation. In the absence of educational resources, coupled with high death rates, which resulted in higher birth rates, that is why impoverished areas are seeing large booms in population. Fatal Effects of Overpopulation 1. Depletion of Natural Resources The effects of overpopulation are quite severe. The first of these is the depletion of resources. The Earth can only produce a limited amount of water and food, which is falling short of the current needs. 2. Degradation of Environment With the overuse of coal, oil, and natural gas, it has started producing some serious effects on our environment. Besides, the exponential rise in the number of vehicles and industries has badly affected the quality of air. 3. Conflicts and Wars Overpopulation in developing countries puts a major strain on the resources it should be utilizing for development. Conflicts over water are becoming a source of tension between countries, which could result in wars. It causes more diseases to spread and makes them harder to control. 4. Rise in Unemployment When a country becomes overpopulated, it gives rise to unemployment as there are fewer jobs to support a large number of people. The rise in unemployment gives rise to crime, such as theft, as people want to feed their families and provide them basic amenities of life. 5. High Cost of Living As the difference between demand and supply continues to expand due to overpopulation, it raises the prices of various essential commodities, including food, shelter, and healthcare. This means that people have to pay more to survive and feed their families. 6. Pandemics and Epidemics Poverty is linked to many environmental and social reasons, including overcrowded and unhygienic living conditions, malnutrition and inaccessible, inadequate, or non-existent health care, for which the poor are more likely to be exposed to infectious diseases. Further, high densities of population increase the chance of the emergence of new pandemics and epidemics. 11. Increased Intensive Farming With the growth of population over the years, farming practices have evolved to produce enough food required to feed a larger number of people. However, this intensive farming methods cause damage to local ecosystems and the land that may pose problems in the future. 12. Faster Climate Change Overpopulation forces larger nations, like China and India, to continue to develop their industrial capacities. They now rank as two of the three largest contributors to emissions in the world, other than the United States. Incredible Solutions To Overpopulation 1. Better Education One of the first measures is to implement policies reflecting social change. Educating the masses helps them understand the need to have one or two children at the most. 2. Education for Girl Child Currently, over 130 million young women and girls around the globe are not enrolled in school. The majority of these live in male-dominated societies, particularly in sub- Saharan Africa and South and West Asia, that does not give women equal right to education as men. 3. Making People Aware of Family Planning As the population of this world is growing at a rapid pace, raising awareness among people regarding family planning and letting them know about serious after- effects of overpopulation can help curb population growth. 4. Tax Benefits or Concessions The government of various countries might have to come up with various policies related to tax exemptions to curb overpopulation.