“Overpopulation is a condition where an organism’s numbers exceed the carrying capacity of its habitat. In common parlance, the term often refers to the relationship between the human population and its environment, the Earth”, (Guardian, UK, 31 August 2007). For their long-term survival, the people of the world need to control their birth rate in order to reduce pollution and many other problems. This is applicable to all nations regardless of their geographical location, economic circumstances or culture.
Figures can vary, but based on the 2008 United Nations World Population Prospects the earth’s population is now 6.8 billion people. In 2050 it’s projected to be 9.1 billion, an increase of 34%. This is 146,543 people per day – the equivalent of another New Zealand every 30 days, starting two years ago.
Two critical environmental factors influenced by population growth are air pollution and the lowering of available safe water. Carbon dioxide in the air has been increasing an average of 2% per year from 1990-2004 (about 30%). The population during this period has increased approximately 21 %. Does this mean that an increase in population results in an even greater increase in air pollution? Safe water has been decreasing due to increased usage and pollution caused by industries such as farming, mining and manufacturing. These industries are driven by a rapidly growing population.
Large population growth has been taking place in developing countries. If history repeats itself, they like countries before them, will have increasing levels of pollution. Developed countries now cause a large amount of pollution, but have ever decreasing rates of birth. Countries need to play their most influential part – either lower their birth rate or lower their pollution levels. Both would be ideal for every country. Only people (or a lack of them), can solve the population problem and its fellow travelers.
Some sources used above to help you further review this topic.
CDIAC, Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center.
http://cdiac.ornl.gov
CPIT Library website. See Online resources & databases – Science – Opposing
Viewpoints Resource Center
http://library.cpit.ac.nz/library_services/databases/library_resources?
type=Science&label=Science
Environmental issues: Population.
http://environment.about.com/sitesearch.htm?
terms=population&SUName=environment&TopNode=99
Popluation Reports – Solutions for a water-short world. water.
http://info.k4health.org/pr/m14edsum.shtml
OECD. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
www.oecd.org
Statistics New Zealand. www.stats.govt.nz
United Nations World Population Prospects.
http://esa.un.org/unpp/index.asp?panel=1
World Health Organization – Water sanitation and health.
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/mdg1/en/index.html
Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org Many links to valid resources on population and pollution.
The mark the end of New Zealand Month there will be live music in the CPIT Library on Friday 28th of May from 12.00 until 1.00. Both groups feature year 1 students from CPIT’s Bachelor of Musical Arts programme. At 12 noon Alice Steele is singing accompanied by accoustic guitar. Spring at 12.30 features Brooke Abbott on keyboard and Alice-Louise Barker on vocals. 
Ara Library Blog 