Population Growth in Perspective

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Population Growth in Perspective

Introduction

To anyone even remotely acquainted with the situation, the ever-expanding world population can easily be a cause of grave concern. Indeed, the simple realization that the total world population will most likely be doubling within the next century may seem to imply catastrophe. Considering the strain our current huge population puts on the world, is it not natural to presume that two times our number will spell disaster? While this is the view held by many prominent voices, there also is a less-noticed group of people who contend that the resiliency of the earth and the ingenuity of its people will keep the planet a decent place to live.

In this paper, I attempt to critically examine various theories on the size of future population growth and consider what some of the possible results of this growth might be. In the end, I conclude that although there are significant development issues facing the world as a result of the expanding population, the world is probably not headed for ruin.

Current Population Awareness

The dramatic increases in world population over the last decades have not gone unnoticed. The media frequently covers issues related to population growth and control, making most people aware of at least some of the discussions surrounding world population. Many societal problems such as environmental destruction, the spread of virulent disease, and starvation are forecast as a result of the planet's increasing population. In fact, overpopulation is often perceived as the number one threat to the world because of its wide ranging effects.

Here at Goshen, overpopulation is a popular topic for Senior Seminar papers. Virtually every year, at least one person i...

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...93

Bailey, Ronald. Ed. The True State of the Planet. Free Press, New York. 1995

Brown, Lester and Kane, Hal. Full House. W.W. Norton and Company, New York.

1994

Cassen, Robert. Population and Development: Old Debates, New Conclusions.

Transaction Publishers, New Brunswick. 1994

Cohen, Joel. How Many People Can the Earth Support?. W.W. Norton and Company,

New York. 1995

Ehrlich, Paul. The Population Bomb. Ballantine Books, New York. 1968

Holland, 1993, as quoted in How Many People Can the Earth Support?

Lutz, Wolfgang. The Future of World Population. Population Reference Bureau,

June, 1994

Spengler, J.J., as quoted in Population: A Clash of Prophets, ed. Edward Pohlman.

Mentor Books, New York, 1973

"That Population Explosion", TIME magazine, January 11, 1960

World-wide web site:

Web 1: http://www.carnell.com.overpopulation.html

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