Environmental and health-related consequences of overpopulation

Abstract

Environmental degradation is proportional to the number of humans. Despite the general reduction in birth rates, the global population continues to grow, and the tendencies of decrease are insufficient for sustainability. Efficient solutions would need refactoring of certain moral stereotypes and introduction of new approach, that no population group, locally or globally, would achieve benefits through a faster growth. High fertility is used for geopolitical advance and, as such, should be counteracted. Nations receiving immigrants decide whom they accept, although in many cases, the aliens enter and remain illegally. Birth control has been rejected in some countries on the grounds of presumed national interests, such as stronger economy and defenses, which can be enhanced by demographic growth. International tensions are among the motives for supporting high fertility since the military needs young people. The overpopulation-related problems are delineated here with examples from the former Soviet Union and some other regions. Furthermore, reproductive coercion is discussed as a mechanism of birth rate elevation. Preventable life shortening may be interpreted as homicide. Conversely, birth rate restriction is ethically neutral. Notwithstanding the prospects of cheaper and cleaner energy, there is no solution to a fall in regional and global populations. However, the declining population issue is somewhat still within our control and it will not remain indefinitely.

Keywords

Overpopulation / Migration / Sustainability / Russia

Funding

None.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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