With the population of the world expected to grow to between 7.5 billion and 10 billion by 2050, according to the Department of Population and Social Affairs, the world faces a massive surge of its demographics. The current population stands at approximately 6.7 billion. The impact and problems this expansion brings into effect is a major concern.
The expansion of the human population growth rate forces an incredible strain on the existing infrastructures of the planet. Available arable land faces a shortage due to the conurbation of existing societies. The increase for housing encroaches on the existing arable land and therefore it becomes a question of what is more important food or houses.
Also it is necessary to consider how so many people will find suitable work. Indeed it is safe to say that the way of working will have to change to accommodate the population expansion. However this leads to a connected problem. The finite sources that still exist today will face increased strain to cater for the surge of population. With an increase in consumption of the basic necessities the expectation on the impact of oil and fuel shortages will cause major concerns.
The negative side-effect of consumerism is that the amount of refuse and pollution that it generates. The world is affected by current pollution and so an aggressive production system would see this damage increase across the earth. Sustainable development is not possible when using a finite source i.e. medicine, water, and oil.
At present existing recycling methods are crude and the industry suffers from a lack of full and committed support from local governments and the United Nations.
Electrical supply and fresh water will also be severely strained as the demand to supply the population increases. Available resources as they exist today in 2011 still leave many people in abject poverty and starvation.
With a staggering 925 million already classified as below the poverty line, it is inconceivable that the extra population growth would see this number reduced.
The human population is on an exponential growth and the ways to reduce this growth brings forward moral and ethical arguments. The importance of effective and legal birth control is a modern dilemma with no apparent solution. The perpetuation of the spices is the single purpose of all livings species on earth, so the problem reaches into the very nature of human existence. The problems this presents is a significant problem in the 21st century.
Historically, an expanse of any civilization brings the issue of migration with its own inherent problems to the forefront. As people seek the basic elements of human existence it will be necessary to re-position themselves within new borders and continents by securing their own economic growth. Social flux results in a culture of constant-change as economic forces shift location within the global structure and employment markets. An almost nomadic existence begins to erode natural community and cultural bonds
The global population looks continued to rise however despite the warning signs and problems being are clear, the course of action is not.
http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/popnews/Newsltr_87.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_population
http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20hunger%20facts%202002.htm#Number_of_hungry_people_in_the_world
