Population and Environment in the Developing Countries (original) (raw)

Abstract

The problems of soil erosion, water and urban air pollution, and desertification leave an impact on the relationship between poverty and environmental degradation. World population has more than doubled, from 2.5 billion in 1950 to 5.3 billion in 1990, with over 85% of the growth taking place in developing countries. This massive population growth has rapidly increased the number of the poor. Undoubtedly, this rapid population growth directly contributes to the degradation of the environment and the renewable resources of land, water, and other biological species on which human beings depend a great deal for survival. In developing countries, a certain commonality to developmental problems has been noted. Foremost among them is the rapid growth of population leading to poverty, unemployment, and shortage of food, water, shelter, and environmental problems. In addition, the affluent societies in the developed industrial countries have also been generating excessive pressures on the nonrenewable resources of metals, nonmetallic minerals, and fossil fuels. The solutions of global environmental problems are centered on the nature of the relationship between developed and developing countries. There is a need for both developed and developing countries to make more ecoconscious policies capable of creating a sustainable balance between population, resources, and environment.

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References (7)

1. Table: 7 Green house Index Ranking, Percent Share of Global Emissions and Relative Per Capita Emissions, 1991.
2. Brazil
3. Germany
4. France
5. Mexico
6. Poland
7. • Source: World Resources, 1994-95. p. 202-3.