Chapter 5, Problem 5.1EAA

To determine

The ways in which an increase in population is also related to the various challenges mentioned by providing examples.

Answer to Problem 5.1EAA

Population increase is definitely a challenge that leads to a number of challenges.

Explanation of Solution

Increase in the population worldwide is one of the challenges that are being faced today. This is also the cause for many of the other challenges.

For instance, with a rise in population, the transportation has become an increasing problem. There are more and more vehicles on the road causing heavy traffics on the roads. The data shows that in the developing nations, where most of the population is growing, the vehicles which are in the order of around 60 million are expected to go up to 175 million. This vehicle increase would also mean that there are more emissions from the vehicles, which would lead to more air pollution. Also most of the vehicles in the developing nations use petrol or diesel and with an increase in vehicle numbers, the amount of fuel required would also increase. This shows how increase in population affects transportation, air pollution, and energy.

With more population, the wastes that get generated would also increase, this adds to the waste management woes. Landfills mainly used for waste management results in deforestation. With more population, there is more water requirement for drinking and other uses. It is clear that current fresh waters which are available are being used to almost 50% of their capacity and is expected to increase to 70% in next 30 years. China whose population is the highest is already short of water, and around 80 million people there do not have sufficient drinking water. This is another example of how water is affected by rise in population.

With an increase in population it is becoming highly difficult to provide the basic amenities to everybody.