Population growth and environmental stress (A review)

Abstract

This paper examines population and environmental relationship and tries to find out the impact of population growth on environment. Population impacts on the environment primarily through the use of natural resources and production of wastes and is associated with environmental stresses like loss of biodiversity, air and water pollution and increased pressure on arable land. Population size and rates of growth are key elements in environmental change. At any level of development, increased population increases the energy use, resource consumption and environmental stress. Population growth and consumption are fundamental drivers of human environmental impacts.In the matter of population and environment, per capita income and per capita energy consumption have been considered. Final conclusion is that human population growth is the number one threat to the world’s environment. Each person requires energy, food, space and resources to survive, which results in environmental losses.