As a globe, we have a problem. The suffering caused by this problem is already apparent in many parts of the world but as we progress through time the suffering will become greater and greater. The issue of Overpopulation is not spoken of on the news every night, nor is it discussed in the classroom, but it is one of the most pressing long-term political problems. Over the next 100 years our global population will start to affect the lives of all citizens, young and old, poor and rich, educated and uneducated. Overpopulation will deplete our water, our oil; it will change our weather and exhaust our food supply.
Through politics we can prevent this, but we must start now.
Politics is an ongoing conflict for a better way of life. Overpopulation is the biggest political problem of the 21st century because it is a major economic, environmental and social issue. When discussing overpopulation we must not concentrate on space we must concentrate on the resources that make life possible. According to the United Nations, there are 1 billion malnourished people on the earth. If we already have that many hungry people, what are we going to do when the population has doubled to 12 billion by 2035? Every person born impacts the future of life.
According to Paul Storey, a researcher for WOA (World Overpopulation Awareness) by the end of the typical Americans life they will have produced 200,000 pounds of garbage, consumed 10 million gallons of water, will drive million miles and burn 20,000 gallons of gasoline. Due to the fact that we already have too much garbage, too little water, too much pollution, and too many problems with gasoline, every child adds to the hardship of future generations.
So, what are we going to do? Although many people all over the world disagree with China for their policy of one is best, at most two, never a third its necessary considering the problems they already have. China is not only the government to start encouraging population control. The government of Iran stopped subsides to newborn children if there are already 3 children in the household. In 1993, New Jersey voters decided to limit welfare for additional children.
These are all a start. Politics and government can do so much more. In order to stabilize the population we can offer incentives to small families, remind people what every extra child does to the individual parent financially and what they will do to the world as a whole. Another huge part the government can play is the worldwide availability of contraceptives.
Overpopulation is the biggest international problem of the 21st century because it will affect us all, every continent, every country, every state and every living thing. We will never get back what we already have lost, never feed the children that have already died from malnutrition, and never reverse the damage of the 6 billion people imposing this second, but if politics, governments, and citizens start devising ways to control its causes and prevent damage then we will be on the right track.
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