Question

How does population explosion contribute to the environmental crisis? Debate in the classroom.

Answer 1

Population explosion contributes to the environmental crisis because a rapidly growing population increases the demand for food, water, land, energy, housing and other natural resources. Its major effects are:

• Greater exploitation and depletion of natural resources.
• Deforestation for agriculture, housing and development.
• Increased consumption of fossil fuels.
• More waste and sewage generation.
• Higher levels of air, water and soil pollution.
• Greater pressure on land and freshwater resources.
• Loss of forests, wildlife and biodiversity.
• Increase in greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.

Thus, rapid population growth puts excessive pressure on the environment and reduces its ability to regenerate resources and absorb pollution, thereby contributing to the environmental crisis.