Overpopulation And Environment Essay

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Fears of overpopulation and immigration policies causing drastic repercussions worldwide are not without reason. It makes sense that the amount of individuals living on a finite amount of space has implications on the environment. Environmentalists agree that population size and growth both internationally and nationally must be factored in when it comes to protecting the environment. Immigration, both legal and illegal, takes its toll on the environment. Within the United States close to one million people legally immigrate into the country. This does not including the vast amount of illegal immigrants that make their way over the borders every year. The topic is overlooked by many due to many of the decisions being in the hands of higher …show more content…

Combine this with the estimates made that the United states population will grow by over 100 million people by 2060 it gives cause for concern. Per capita consumption and waste production rates in the United States are among the highest in the world. Energy, Water, and Habitat consumption also play into the environmental factors overpopulation can affect. Energy consumption and production can cause environmental problems such as oil spills, air pollution, and even nuclear waste disposal. Even “green” energy methods are not without negative effects on the environment. Hydroelectric dams destroy fish runs. Solar energy facilities take up massive amounts of land and obliterate wildlife habitats in the area. Even electric car batteries cause mining issues for lithium and then yet again when it comes to disposal of the batteries. As population increases, the stresses on these resources grow causing more damage to the …show more content…

It can become a limiting factor to economic development due to a number of reasons. A rapidly growing population leads to a progressive decline in the availability of capital per worker. Fast growth in population means a large number of persons coming to the labor market for which it may not be possible to provide employment. Increased population means more mouths to feed that, in turn, creates pressure upon available stock of food. The growth of population is relatively very high in rural areas and it has disturbed the land man ratio. Add even more people to mix from immigration and the country plunges itself even further

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