I’ve been digging into Wikipedia and reading more of the overpopulation information and I can see as the world population increases, it will put more demand on the depleting world resources and each country will have its own particular challenges.So first I can see a considerable growth in population:A table of population growth estimates by country are on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population_growth_rateWhere Growth rate = [(births + immigration) – (deaths + emigration)] / populationThe growth rates are largest in North and Central Africa; followed by a grouping in Afghanistan/Pakistan/India/Middle East/Ireland; then the Developed countries last.“The United Nations states that:• Almost all growth will take place in the less developed regions, where today’s 5.3 billion population of underdeveloped countries is expected to increase to 7.8 billion in 2050. By contrast, the population of the more developed regions will remain mostly unchanged, at 1.2 billion. The world's population is expected to rise by 40% to 9.1 billion. • During 2005-2050, nine countries are expected to account for half of the world’s projected population increase: India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bangladesh, Uganda, United States of America, Ethiopia, and China, listed according to the size of their contribution to population growth. • The population of 51 countries or areas, including Germany, Italy, Japan and most of the successor States of the former Soviet Union, is expected to be lower in 2050 than in 2005. • During 2005-2050, the net number of international migrants to more developed regions is projected to be 98 million. Because deaths are projected to exceed births in the more developed regions by 73 million during 2005-2050, population growth in those regions will largely be due to international migration. • By 2050 (Medium variant), India will have almost 1.7 billion people, China 1.4 billion, United States 400 million, Indonesia 297 million, Pakistan 292 million, Nigeria 289 million, Bangladesh 254 million, Brazil 254 million, Democratic Republic of the Congo 187 million, Ethiopia 183 million, Philippines 141 million, Mexico 132 million, Egypt 121 million, Vietnam 120 million, Russia 108 million, Japan 103 million, Iran 100 million, Turkey 99 million, Uganda 93 million, Tanzania 85 million, and Kenya 85 million, UK 65 million. • 2050 o Africa - 1.9 billion o Asia - 5.2 billion o Europe - 664 million o Latin America & Caribbean - 769 million o North America - 445 million (Source: Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nation. World Population Prospects: The 2006 Revision.)”This population growth would be fine if it wasn’t for our limited resources.“The resources to be considered when evaluating whether an area is overpopulated include clean water, clean air, food, shelter, warmth, and other resources necessary to sustain life. If the quality of human life is addressed as well, there are then additional resources to be considered, such as medical care, employment, money, education, fuel, electricity, proper sewage treatment, waste management, and transportation. Negative impacts should also be considered including crowding stress and increased pollution. If addressing the environment as a whole, the survival and well-being of species other than humans must also be considered. We are starting to see the onset of an impaired quality of life, serious environmental degradation, and long-term shortages of essential goods and services.” These pressures on our resources are increasing and we are already seeing a furious rush for raw materials, such as China buying companies and trading rights to hydrocarbons and minerals in Africa.But I think it is the scarcity of water which will cause the major problem for those in drought areas and the impact on their capability to produce food, which will more and more be imported and drive up the food prices.“Water deficits, which are already spurring heavy grain imports in numerous smaller countries, may soon do the same in larger countries, such as China or India. The water tables are falling in scores of countries (including Northern China, the US, and India) due to widespread overpumping using powerful diesel and electric pumps. Other countries affected include Pakistan, Iran, and Mexico. This will eventually lead to water scarcity and cutbacks in grain harvest. Even with the overpumping of its aquifers, China is developing a grain deficit. When this happens, it will almost certainly drive grain prices upward. Most of the 3 billion people projected to be added worldwide by mid-century will be born in countries already experiencing water shortages. Unless population growth can be slowed quickly by investing heavily in female literacy and family planning services, there may not be a humane solution to the emerging world water shortage. Desalination is a real world, humane solution to the problem of water shortages, although probably not effective.After China and India, there is a second tier of smaller countries with large water deficits — Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Mexico, and Pakistan. Four of these already import a large share of their grain. Only Pakistan remains self-sufficient. But with a population expanding by 4 million a year, it will also likely soon turn to the world market for grain.”Australia is now experiencing a severe water shortage, which is threatening their ability to support its population.I suppose the effects we are experiencing in Brentford, London and UK are more about the shortage of space with the high density of people. This causes the expense of housing; strain on the transport system, health, education, and welfare systems. We are also experiencing higher costs of raw materials such as hydrocarbons, and lately wheat. Now all of that adds up to some significant challenges for us all.I'm going for a cup of tea before the water runs out!
Duncan Walker ● 6505d