MUNiSC'2016'General'Conference'
Accurately detecting and establishing effective strategies to
alleviate environmental issues that are to be caused by
human overpopulation over the next century
Forum: General Conference
Student Officer: Daniel Choi, President
Contributed by: Emma Martin, QSI Chengdu
Introduction
Graph showing exponential growth in human population in the modern era.
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Unlike plagues of the dark ages or contemporary
diseases we do not understand, the modern plague of overpopulation is soluble by means we have
discovered and with resources we possess. What is lacking is not sufficient knowledge of the
solution, but universal consciousness of the gravity of the problem and education of the billions
who are its victim.” Whether humans want to acknowledge it or not, overpopulation is a grieve
issue that is not receiving the attention that it deserves. The UN’s Panel on global sustainability
released a report on stating that as the world's population looks set to grow to nearly 9 billion by
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2040 and the number of middle-class consumer increases by 3 billion over the next 20 years, the
demand for resources will rise exponentially.
Background
Resources
Throughout the last couple of decades, the human population has been dramatically
increased due to sharp rise of productivity in agriculture and medical advancements. While all
these are commendable, and by no means a
subject to be condemned, every additional
person means additional resources. Each people
require food, water and other vital, yet limited
resources for adequate survival in our crowded
planet. The environment continues to suffer as
the mankind try to fulfill the needs of a growing
Series of charts showing exploitation of
population. For example, trees are continually
natural resources
cut down, coal, oil and natural gas reserves are
depleting, and ecosystems continue to suffer.
With 220,000 new people being born every day, there is a greater demand for these resources.
Land for instance, is a necessary component in providing the general population with food, shelter
and many more natural resources that are used as various products. According to the UNEP
Global Environment Outlook, “each person on Earth now requires a third more land to supply
his or her needs than the planet can supply.” However, such statement only touches the surface of
the issue, which indeed has many more aspects in need of our immediate attention. Amid of such
depletion of energy sources, alternative energy sources are needed to supply the tremendous
energy needs of the growing population. Seeing such need, the international community can turn
towards renewable energy sources, which are intended to produce energy without harming the
environment. The known sources of renewable energy are sunlight, rain, tidal wave and wind.
However, these sources are often criticized for its inefficiency and high costs. Nuclear energy is
both environmentally friendly and productive in energy production, but its frequent malfunction
and disasters cause fear among environmentalists and regular citizens alike. Geothermal energy is
known to be sustainable, reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly, but its geographic
restrictions to only few regions in Earth and high costs often arise as obstacles. Though it is
estimated that Earth’s geothermal resources are more than sufficient to fulfill the needs of the
human population, current technological capability isn’t enough the overcome the above
mentioned difficulties. Biomass and biofuel are also alternative energy sources, however their
efficiency is challenged by high costs and low energy output. Currently China and United States
are leaders of researching and developing renewable energy sources. Yet, more investments and
efforts from other countries are needed to secure safe and quick transition into renewable energy
sources.
Global Patterns
Increase in human population not only used up Earth’s scant resources, but also
contributed to the recent patterns of climate change. The rise in population increased industrial
output, with new vehicles and industries emitting even more greenhouse gases than before. The
Center for Biological Diversity stated that while humans are beginning to realize that our climate
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is changing and have begun decreasing consumption, it is equally important to realize that “we not
only need smaller footprints, but fewer feet.” However, population and carbon emissions also deal
with consumption patterns. A child in the US is 168 times more responsible for carbon emissions
than a child in Bangladesh, and seven times more than a child in China. Also, in certain developed
countries, one-third of all carbon emissions can be credited to the transportation sector as
compared to industrial or telecommunication sectors. The irreversible damages to our
environment is evident all throughout the world. In the past, rainforests covered up to 14% of the
Earth’s surface. Today, it only covers 6%. Approximately 30% of the ocean’s reefs have
disappeared, and permanent ice covers on the two poles are disappearing at a rate of 11.5% per
year. Moreover, it is predicted that from global change, habitat loss and pollution at least half of
all animals and plants will be extinct. In such ways, the effects of overpopulation occur worldwide, however, measures concerning strategies to alleviate environmental issues have been rarely
discussed. Therefore, it is now time for the UN to take more proactive and vibrant actions to deal
with overpopulation.
International Actions
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was established in 1969 to tackle the issue
of overpopulation by promoting different population programs. Since then, the UNFPA has
worked with the International Institute for Environment and Development as well as Wolfram
research to develop a system called, Demographic Exploration for Climate Adaptation (DECA).
Because climate change is a major effect of overpopulation, DECA analyzes demographic impacts
on climate change by combining data on of the current population with climate hazards. The
United Nations World Population Plan, provided by the United Nations Population Information
Network (POPIN), presents a plan of action to address the issue of human population, specifically
overpopulation. Some of the recommendations for actions dealing with human population include
adopting certain policies in LEDC’s that deal with consumption and investment, carrying out
intensive programs for economic and social improvement, and adopting more rational utilization
of natural resources. The ultimate goal of this organization is to harmonize population trends.
Places of High Concern
India
India, with its population surpassing 1 billion mark, is known for as a densely-populated
country, and is considered one of the highest contributor of greenhouse gas emission within G20 countries. Overpopulation in India is mainly due to its higher birth rate in comparison to the
death rate as well as the its high fertility rate. As a result, resources in India are overexploited.
Among some of the biggest environmental issues in India include water scarcity, deforestation,
and air pollution. Industries are growing, and the amount of water is simply not enough to support
its large population. Almost 5.3 million hectares of forest have been demolished due to
industrialization and housing. Due to such ruthless deforestation and surplus of toxic gas emitting
factories and transportation devices India has one of the worst air qualities in the world.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Overpopulation is becoming a serious issue on many countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Within the next fifty years, populations of countries like Ethiopia and Nigeria could possibly triple
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the current number. The main reasons for overpopulation is the declining infant and children
mortality rates as well as very high fertility rates. On average, a woman in Africa has 5.5 children.
The dramatic increase of population in these areas is affecting the environment as the availability
of their resources constantly decreasing. It also led to more disposal of wastes, which has polluted
water and land supplies. Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria is an example of such tragedy, with an
immense amount of sewage being dumped into the lake every day.
Stance of the P5 Nations
United States of America
The United States’ population growth is in fact comparable to many first world countries, and the
country has the reputation as the world’s highest-consuming nation. However, the U.S. has been
very aware of the detrimental effects of overpopulation, and the President's Commission on
Population Growth and the American Future, headed by John D. Rockefeller III, conducted
researches that concluded that the nation should welcome and plan for a stabilized population.”
United Kingdom, France and Russia
The UK’s population is expected to reach 77 million in 2050. Most of the current population
growth in the UK can be attributed to immigration. The same is true for UK’s European neighbors,
France and Russia, both of which have historically been more concerned by low population. With
the Syrian crisis only fueling the current migration crisis, European leaders will be encountered
with a dilemma that surely includes environmental aspect of Europe.
China
China has dealt with overpopulation by implementing the one child policy in the 1970’s and 1980’s
However, such efforts have only caused more problems, such as demographic irregularities, rather
than solving its desired issue. Because of such results, China repealed its one-child policy in 2016.
In such regard, population control might not always turn out to be the best solution to this issue.
Today, China consumes almost half of the world’s supply of coal, causing tons of carbon dioxide
emissions, therefore, contributing to global warming. Some of the current environmental damage
created from overpopulation include denuded landscapes, massive fish killings, and an increase in
the amount of smog on urban areas
Possible Solutions
As there are many facets to this problem, many strategies are required to yield beneficial
results. One possible solution is integrating a curricula in schools that includes lessons on
population, environment, and development to spike interest towards the issue. Another solution
may propose different government incentives and programs designed to adjust current population.
An example of government provided incentive can be tax exemptions to those who limit the
amount of children they have. However, such incentives must be done with consideration of
country’s demographic and economic status, as more developed countries, such as Japan, who are
concerned of its old, aged population, need to encourage its younger citizens to bear more children.
Implementing effective resource allocation to decide what resources are currently available and
how to distribute these resources fairly based on merit, social worth, or need can lead to more
efficient use of resources. Moreover, promotion of renewable energy sources is advised to
accelerate the coming of renewable energy era. Lastly, working with NGO’s such as the Natural
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Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to promote
environmental conservation, is advised to curb extravagant consumption.
Glossary
Resource: a country’s way of supporting itself by means of minerals, land, etc.
Overpopulation: it is the amount of individuals compared with the amount of available resources
to survive
UNFPA: United Nations Population Fund
LEDC - Less economically developed country
Timeline
1951- The Nature Conservancy is established to protect significant lands and waters worldwide.
1972- “The Limits of Growth,” is published investigating the interaction between population and
many other things aspects such as ecosystem limits.
1988- The World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environmental Program
establish the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
2005- World population exceeds 6 billion.
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