Today marks the day when world population reaches its 7 billion milestone. Are we to
celebrate or should we be concerned? Things have certainly changed since 1999 when world population reached 6
billion. It was a time when we believed that we could eradicate severe poverty and hunger as well as
act in time to avert the worst effects of climate change. With high confidence, we knew nothing could stop us. Well things haven’t
exactly worked out that way. Facing a decade of economic distress and lacking progression in our
efforts to eliminate global poverty, are we capable of meeting everyone’s
needs? Only time will tell.
It was predicted that fertility rates would continue to fall
and population was anticipated to continue to drop. Now, reaching the 7 billion mark, U.N.’s latest projects
indicate that population will reach 10 billion by 2082 and will in fact
continue to grow. Contributing
factors such as inability to access contraceptives in developing countries,
gender inequality, and child marriage further induces the increase in fertility
rates. By implementing cost
effective strategies in developing nations, fertility rates will be reduced
and the health and welfare of the impoverished will be improved.
Another challenge arises; will we be able to produce enough
food for the predicted population growth? Enduring two major food crises, shrinkage in food stock and the impact
of climate change on our natural resources, has magnified the concern regarding
future food production. Unfortunately,
those living in severe poverty will be the most affected. It is essential that we address
the world’s poor first, get to the root of the problem.
To ensure that population growth doesn’t exceed our Earth’s
capacity, focusing our efforts on eradicating hunger, reducing severe poverty,
and addressing climate change is vital.
Progression needs to take place or else we are doomed for dire consequences.
-Georisa Chang
Source: Chicago Tribune
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