THE INTERPLAY OF POPULATION GROWTH, SUSTAINABILITY, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The central inquiry has consistently revolved around human response to current environmental changes, how will societies be affected and how will they respond. Most times, the focus is shifted away from the fact that humans, through their actions or inaction, are the major cause of these changes. Rather than solely concentrating on improving human responses, a critical necessity, there is a pressing need to proactively address the root causes of these persistent adverse changes. Top of FormTop of Form

Two postulations are almost irrefutable when it comes to man:

1.????? Food is necessary to the existence of man.

2.????? The passion between both sexes is necessary and will almost always lead to procreation.

These postulations are natural and cannot be expunged from the human society. On deeper thinking, there would be no need for humans to exist if we cannot consume and procreate. It has been established that population, when unchecked, increases in a geometrical ratio while subsistence (food) increases only in an arithmetical ratio. It therefore becomes imperative that the effects of these two unequal powers are kept equal. This implies a strong and constantly operating check on the population from the difficulty of subsistence.

From the mid-twentieth century onwards, the world's population has surged, expanding to nearly triple its size and reaching almost 8 billion people in 2022. According to United Nations projections, the global population could further escalate, nearing 11 billion by the year 2100. One of the major consequences of this population expansion is the rise in food demand which puts pressure on land, water, and energy. ?For example, in regions where small-scale farming is widely spread, more land must be cleared for crops which ultimately leads to deforestation and a loss of biodiversity.

Arguments may be given in favor of technology to mitigate the harm presented by population increase, particularly when viewed through the lens of resource efficiency. The potential of technological advancement lies in its ability to enable us to utilize resources more efficiently. Nonetheless, this has been proven to the contrary by the workings and use of technology in our everyday lives in society. There is a complex relationship between technological advancements, efficiency gains, and resource demands. This relationship can be akin to Jevon’s Paradox which states that as technological progress increases the efficiency of resource utilization, consumption of that resource will increase. Thus, sustainability problems cannot be solved by technology alone.

It is quite necessary to inform that changes in population trends alone will do little to resolve unsustainable patterns of resource use. A gradual separation of population and economic growth from increased resource extraction, waste generation, and environmental harm is imperative in shifting the global economy toward enhanced sustainability.

The impact of rapid population growth on sustainability is profound, posing challenges to social and economic development. Rapid population growth can pose challenges, including resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and social inequality.

As much as population can be proven to be a curse when trying to ensure a sustainable state, it can also be a blessing when properly utilized. If appropriate policies are adopted, an increasing population can also spur economic expansion and result in a larger labour force which is advantageous for sustainable development. And yet it is crucial to ensure that environmental conservation and the safeguarding of natural resources go hand in hand with economic progress. What use is a nation’s population if it cannot be used to grow the nation? When a country has a sizeable population, it constitutes a formidable workforce that should make and keep the machinery of the state at a world-top level. A large population presents opportunities for economic growth, innovation and talent, and cultural diversity.

To effectively tackle poverty and hunger, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in health, education, and decent work, while also building resilience against environmental challenges, countries' economies need to grow much more rapidly than their populations. This requires substantial investments in infrastructure, enhanced access to affordable energy, and widespread adoption of modern technology across all sectors. Furthermore, achieving a harmonious balance between population growth and sustainable development demands meticulous planning, investments in sustainable technology, and international collaboration, considering both positive and negative outcomes.

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