Sustainability

Sustainability can be defined as a way to "meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs"(WECD, 1987). The problems with the environment must be solved without endangering the later generation's resources. Overpopulation has become a problem because of the many resources needed by people daily. As technology increases the population increases because it is believed we can handle more. The world population is projected to reach 7 billion by early 2012 and later to exceed 9 billion by 2050. Most of the increase will come in developing countries, which will also develop and start to use more of the environment's resources. We are already quickly depleting our resources and this increase will only accelerate the problem. Industries are also expanding throughout the land, which takes land away from the population of people. This causes more people to live in a small area rather than spread throughout. A solution to this would be education, so that we are able to come together and create alternative sources of energy. If we learn more about these resources, we will be able to slow the problems of overpopulation or explore new energy ideas. The rapid use of our natural resources is relatively recent and could quickly be depleted if actions are not taken to slow the population or create alternative sources. As we learn more of these resources and the challenges we face with overpopulation, a solution will hopefully come to sustain the environment for many more years. With the constant growth of people in the fixed area of Earth, a solution is needed to sustain life for future generations.

Ian

http://www.sevenwords.org/human-overpopulation-causes-effects-and-solutions/

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090418075752.htm