Menu
EarthCitizen
0
  • Home
  • Explore
    • EC Blog
    • Awardees
  • Store
  • More
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • About Us
    • Team
    • Opportunities
    • Future
  • Sign in
  • Your Cart is Empty
EarthCitizen
  • Home
  • Explore
    • EC Blog
    • Awardees
  • Store
  • More
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • About Us
    • Team
    • Opportunities
    • Future
  • 0 0

Overpopulation, Mad Max and Extinction: How do they fit in the same puzzle?

Overpopulation, Mad Max and Extinction: How do they fit in the same puzzle?

July 12, 2016 0 Comments

World Over Crowding/ Population Day
How is population outgrowing Earth's carrying capacity?
Is there an end?
The future and actions we can take...

 

World Over Crowding Day a.k.a. World Population Day

Last July 11, the global community commemorated the World Population Day. What is it, you may ask? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. A lot of people are also hearing it for the first time.

World Population Day is not anywhere near the lines of Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day or Public Sleeping Day. It’s an annual event aimed to focus the world’s attention to critical issues brought about by the rapid growth of the population.

It was in July 11, 1987 when the global population hit five billion. Two years later, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme recommended July 11 be observed by the international community as World Population Day. Fast forward to July 2016, the number is currently at 7.4 billion [1]. An average person interacts with around 80,000 people [2] during their lifetime, which comes down to about three a day. Imagine having to deal with 7.4 billion people - no wonder the planet’s getting stressed out!

 

How is population outgrowing Earth’s carrying capacity you may ask?

Well, aside from lack of education on family planning and the fact that, unlike animals, humans have no definite breeding period and thus can have babies anytime, there are other factors that contribute to overpopulation. A big factor was the agricultural boom.... Another factor is the  advancements in the field of medicine. Since more diseases are prevented and cured, human lifespan has increased, reducing mortality rate. And with the increase in number of births, population number continues to soar.

 

Is there an End...Mad Max?

So with the number continuously growing with an average of 360,000 babies born every day as opposed to 151,600 deaths [3], why should we care? Aside from this meaningless seats on the train, higher mobile phone prices, fiercer competition for that perfect job,or way too many tourists at the beach for you to take that perfect golden-hour sunset selfie, what does this mean for the human race?

Imagine one of those post-apocalyptic set locations from movies like Mad Max or Resident Evil, but instead of zombies or nuclear warfare, it’s our overpopulation that destroyed the world.

 

If we continue on our current path, scientists predict these events to take place and actions you can take to help

Ecosystems Collapse

World Population Day - ecosystems collapse

Due to the seemingly indomitable rise in population, the natural ecosystem seem to be collapsing under its own weight. More people means use of more resources. This current demand is putting the environment under serious threat. Should these trends hold, we will drive all animal and plant species to extinction within a few decades! The natural extinction rate is one per year but E.O. Wilson, a Harvard biologist, estimated that we drive three species to extinction per hour [4].

Ready to take the high road? Here are simple tips to get you started:

  • Learn about endangered species in your area. The first step to protecting endangered species is getting to know them. So next time you’re sitting alone doing nothing at home, why not take a quick stroll at the zoo or a public garden? You’ll get a wonderful glimpse at the natural world, plus a little sunshine never hurt anybody.
  • Make your home eco-friendly. You might have heard this a bunch of times, but recycling goes a long way. Why not take it up a notch and stock up on sustainable products?
  • Ditch the fur. Scouring the racks for the latest fashion find is always a fun time for most people. But whenever you’re at it, avoid buying items that threaten endangered species.

Lack of Water for Everyone

World Population Day - lack of water

Water is going to be hard to come by too - we’re consuming it ten times faster than it can be replenished naturally! According to the Water Resources Group, water demand in developing countries will be 50% more than the available supply by 2030 [6]. We are expanding at such an alarming rate that there’s simply not enough water to sustain us.

Thrilled to know how you can reduce your water consumption (and your utility bill)? Here’s how:

  • Check for leaks. Check for leaks on your faucets and pipes regularly. You wouldn’t want to pay for water you didn’t actually use, would you?
  • Turn it off. When you’re shampooing, scrubbing the dishes, or brushing your teeth, turn the water off until you actually need to rinse.
  • Minimize time. Whenever possible, minimize the time you spend in the shower with the water running. Yes you may still do your regular shower singing session but turn the shower off while you belt some tunes.

Too Much Waste for the Planet

World Population Day - waste

That doesn’t only mean no more Shark Week or cute pets, but we will literally be breathing in all the fumes from the garbage we’re virtually swimming in. The average person produces 4.3 pounds of waste per day [5]. Multiplied by the current global population, that’s almost 32 billion pounds of waste! Now where is all that going to go? Scientists already show that we have a trash circle the size of Texas floating in the ocean. Land waste systems are filling up - and global trash production is still continuously growing in the foreseeable future, going from 3.5 million tons per day, to approximately 6 million tons per day by 2025 [7].

Curious on how to minimize your waste production? Let me tell you how:

  • Shop smart. Bring reusable bags for shopping and choose products that are reusable so they won’t have to be thrown out right away. You can also buy in bulk to reduce waste.
  • Create a compost out of it. Urban composting is becoming the new trend. If you live in an apartment building, this can be something new to try. For starters, you may check here.
  • Think before you throw. If you’re done using it, doesn’t mean it can’t be reused for something else. Get your creative juices flowing and do a DIY project out of scrap materials. Here are some ideas to get you started.

What World Do You Want to Leave for Future Generations?

At the rate we’re going, we’ll need a couple more planets to support us all, plus a whole other planet to store all our waste a la Wall-E. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like interplanetary travel and terraforming technologies are within reach yet. There’s still a couple of years before baby number 8 billion will be born. For now, the future of those who will come after us depends on the everyday choices we make.

 

Resources:

  1. http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/
  2. http://fundersandfounders.com/counting-the-people-you-impact/
  3. http://www.ecology.com/birth-death-rates/
  4. http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/population_and_sustainability/extinction/
  5. https://center.sustainability.duke.edu/resources/green-facts-consumers/how-much-do-we-waste-daily   
  6. http://www.everythingconnects.org/overpopulation-effects.html
  7. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/when-will-we-hit-peak-garbage-7074398/?no-ist

 

  • Share:


Also in EC Blog

How Climate Change Affects Our Food and What We Can Do About It
How Climate Change Affects Our Food and What We Can Do About It

October 16, 2016 0 Comments

This World Food Day, learn how climate change affects our food production and supply, and what we can do about it.

Read More

Impressive Urban Farms Around the World
Impressive Urban Farms Around the World

October 02, 2016 0 Comments

Be inspired with these urban farm projects located around the world.

Read More

The Basics of Community Gardening
The Basics of Community Gardening

September 09, 2016 0 Comments

Interested in joining a community garden? Here are a few basic things you should know, plus a list of community gardens you can join

Read More

Follow
  • Search
  • FAQ
  • Guarantee
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy

Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more…

© 2025 EarthCitizen. LLC
Powered by Shopify