Immigration, Populations, Climate Change, Ideologies

Conflict over immigration, economic growth, climate change, territorial claims, limited energy or water supplies all increase as the world grows more crowded. Such conflicts would be easier to resolve if population growth slowed, argues J. Russell Tyldesley. The world’s population now stands at more than 6.5 billion, as compared with 1.5 billion in 1900, 2.5 billion in 1950, with more than 9 billion predicted for 2050. Some demography experts argue that the planet can sustain only 2 billion humans in comfort. Advances in agricultural technology and a “green revolution” that increased crop yields contributed to population growth. With an increased food supply, the population grows exponentially. Land is over-cultivated, filled with chemical fertilizers and depleted of fertile soil. Meanwhile, human ideologies that promote greed and competition, neglecting individual sacrifice for the benefit of society, fail to contribute to the long-term survival of the species. Tyldesley urges that the world adopt sensible population-control policies. Quality of life gradually declines as the human population continues to climb, and Tyldesley notes that if humans don’t strive for a sustainable population through policy, then war, famine or disease will take over. –YaleGlobal