Do We Have A Population Problem?

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Do We Have a Population Problem?
Amanda Bruette
Core III Environment and Consumption
3/11/15
Professor Patrick Parise

The world’s population is unarguably on the rise. The real argument is if we should be concerned or see this as a serious problem. With this constant growth, there comes a rising concern for the food supply. Not only that, but other resources are in danger. On the other hand, over population is believed to be a myth. This causes for two very different opinions on this topic.
The overall population keeps growing. Around 1800, the population was around 1 billion human beings on Earth (Easton, 2014). By 1950, the population had grown to over 2.5 billion (Easton, 2014). The growth most certainly did not stop there. The population had surpassed 7 billion by 2011 (Easton, 2014). Growth trends are predicting it to be over 8 billion by 2025 and, as stated in by the World Population Prospects within the Easton text, 9 billion by 2050 (Easton, 2014). These numbers are incredible. Also, it’s undeniable that the population growth rate is on a steady, fast incline. With such a dramatic increase, it’s hard not to question what complications will be associated with this. As the population continues to grow, problems begin to arise. One of the biggest concerns is the food supply. It’s believed that although global agricultural production has increased, it certainly has not kept up with the rising demand (Easton, 2014).
On the other hand, others believe the population problem is not considered a problem at all. Some economists view the population increase as the more people there are on the planet, the more people there are to solve problems. Also, the more humans there are the more possibilities of finding ways around...

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...cause of carrying capacities that were constantly outstripped by the growing population. A report estimates that China 's recent food crisis, between 1958 and 1961, led to the starvation of over twenty million people, in part due to the erosion of China 's natural capital (Tal, 2013). Also, uncontrolled human fertility led to a depletion of the land 's fertility.
• Should our overall world food supply really be considered an issue in terms of the population problem?
• Why is it that our food supply is considered the main concern for the population problem?
• Is it necessary to attempt to control the population?
Resources
Easton, T. (2014). Taking Sides (16th ed., pp. 189-200). Mc Graw Hill.
Tal, A. (2013, September 27). Overpopulation is Still the Problem. The World Post. Retrieved from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alon-tal/overpopulation-is-still-t_b_3990646.html

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