Negative Effects of Overpopulation on the Environment

Jacques-Yves Cousteau once said, â€Å"Overconsumption and overpopulation underlie every environmental problem we face today† (â€Å"Population,† Internet). With the current statistics, Jacques could not be more accurate. Every second, 4.2 people are born and 1.8 people die, which would be a net gain of 2.4 people per second (â€Å"Population,† Internet). At this steady rate, the environmental health is spiraling downwards, and it is safe to assume humans are responsible for this. As the population increases, harmful effects on the land, water, and air also do. First of all, overpopulation drastically affects the land. Possibly the most prominent example of the depreciating health and amount of land is the need for developments. Due to the exploding†¦show more content†¦This percentage is definitely discouraging for the ocean’s ecosystem, but when looking at the individual fish being caught, it is even more disheartening. In the United States, the population of Atlantic bluefin tuna plummeted by 99% between 1963 and 2006, Atlantic cod declined by 89% between 1980 and 2006, and black grouper decreased by 82% (â€Å"Human,† Internet). Although the demand is high, it is important to remember to preserve the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. To sustain global fisheries, a catch reduction of 20 to 50 percent is vital. However, by 2030, the demand for fish will have to surge to 35 million tons to be able to meet the needs of the increased consumption (â€Å"Human, Internet). With the public becoming hungrier for seafood, countless types of fish are beginning to dwindle. Many fish species, especially commercially fished species, have been put on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s list of threatened species. These include southern bluefin tuna, yellowtail flounder, Atlantic halibut, abalone, sturgeon, and several sharks. When added together, 90% of the world’s fish population is in decline (â€Å"Human,† Internet). As this advances, many species will become extinct. In fact, 21 marine species have been driven extinct in the past 300 years. Since 1972, 16 of the 21 have become extinct (â€Å"Human,† Internet). This surprising incline has called for drastic measures. The global fish crisis has become so severe, scientistsShow MoreRelatedOverpopulation Is More Than Just A Crowded Planet1343 Words   |  6 Pagescurrent world population no longer signifies progression; it signifies regression. Today, the Earth ’s human population is approaching overpopulation. Overpopulation is more than just a crowded planet. The definition of overpopulation is, â€Å"†¦too many people for the amount of food, materials, and space available†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Cambridge Dictionaries). This means that overpopulation will impact crucial aspects of the planet and not just increase city sizes. 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