The world is facing disaster due to over population
Posted on September 5th, 2010
Ben Silva
The world is facing disaster due to over population. Over population will lead to lack of housing, lack of education opportunities, lack of health care, global warming, transport problems, deforestation etc. The effects of deforestation is visible in the form of regular flooding and high temperaturesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ felt in the cities. Nearly all the problems we will face will be linked to over population. Sir David Attenborough has given the chilling message: ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Famines are increasing and wars as people become more overcrowded and that has already started. When the world gets over crowded, there would be competition for resources, including warsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. There are too many humans on earth and are competing to obtain dwindling resources. War or disease may restore the balance.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The impact of overpopulation in Sri Lanka is visible in terms of lack of green space and sheer visible number of people in towns. Drastic action is needed to control overpopulation and unless radical steps are taken to monitor and control population, it will bring misery to all Sri Lankans.
Community leaders, politicians, teachers, media peopleƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ all have a duty to halt this impending disaster. The author hopes that at least a few people will see the potential problem and take measures to mitigate the impending disaster, highlighted byƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sir David Attenborough.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Further any development we achieve will be neutralised by over population.
Over population will have a destructive effectƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ on the environment. We can see that uncontrolled construction of building will cause floods, warming and will have less plants to generate the oxygen we breath. I remember long time back, the population in Sri Lanka was nearly 14 million and there were lots of Green areas. Now the population has nearly doubled and hardly any green areas left.
In my view, overpopulation is the most serious problem we face.
To quote ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sir David AttenboroughƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”The planet is only so big and only a finite amount of people can live on itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢. His comments apply to Sri Lanka as well.
Overpopulation in India would have dire consequences to its neighbours, including Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans need to be fully aware of the potential danger from India.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ What should be done.
It is important to control and monitor the population of Sri Lanka and also thatƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of the world. There ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ isƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ aƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ needƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to persuade people that lower birth rates are vital to protect the planet. Facilities could be provided ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to increase access to contraception. There is also a need to educate the people about the negative effects of over population.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ We should think about having only one child. However, there should be safety nets and systems to look after the old and infirm.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ References
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ http://www.optimumpopulation.org/blog/?p=567
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 3. Overpopulation
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overpopulation
September 6th, 2010 at 8:14 am
Ben, thank you for alerting everyone to the perils of over population. This the greatest disaster awaiting mankind and we all seem to be sleepwalking into it. While birth control to limit the family size is the obvious action needed, that is infinitely easier said than done considering the mega ethnic, religous and economic issues involved. Economic development with corresponding improvements in social services of course will have an impact in reducing family sizes as happened in the West after the Industrial Revolution. But tackling ethnic and religous issues within a democrqacy could be a major task indeed. First thing for the GoSL is to recognize this as a major problem where planned action is needed – worldwide. I have seen no signs of that yet! – S de Silva – London
September 6th, 2010 at 9:45 am
Mr Ben Silva has brought in a timely article warning of the dire consequences of overpopulation in Lanka & other parts of the world. Let’s go to the heart of the matter.
Were human beings born merely to eat & reproduce with some other activities ? Definitely not.
If so, what is the purpose of human life ? All the Great Teachers have pointed to the Way Within, or Self Realisation, as the the means to give meaning & purpose to life.
The Buddha said : “Truth is within You” and Jesus Christ said : “the Kingdom of Heaven is within You”. (Heaven is the place where ‘God” or ‘Truth’ abides). Teaching Self Realisation should receive more emphasis & importance in schools in Lanka and all over the world. All positive human activity will then flow from striving for Self Realisation (as opposed to presently prevailing easy Greed) – even a little effort in the right direction will go a long way. See website http://www.wopg.org and listen to Prem Rawat’s talks on this subject. Human beings have arrived at a point of ‘change or perish’ position. It is time to go Within.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:02 am
I agree with Fran Diaz. Not knowing the reason for existence, we seem to just “follow the leader” in dealing with our lives. We follow either the Church or the Temple directions regarding life. Some of the religions advise people to go forth and multiply so that their numbers increase. The Catholic Church has banned birth control.
The Muslims ensure their numbers to increase by having more than one wife for each man. Each Muslim is allowed up to 5 wives while the rest of the country follows the one wife law. There should be one law for the whole country. It is only the Buddhists and the Hindus who have any degree of family planning in the country.
China is one of the few countries which has put in place a law whereby couples cannot have more than one child. If India also did the same together with all the poor countries we could probably avert a crisis. However we all know that for various selfish reasons neither the Churches nor the Temples nor the Muslim clerics will agree to any control of the population. Because they all want their numbers to increase. In the coming decades we are going to see food shortages, energy shortages and famine and wars as the battle for resources increases. In Sri Lanka we have a very high population density with 3/4 of the population living on 1/4 of the island. In addition to the lack of population control by all we have large numbers of illegal immigrants from Tamil Nadu.
If more people started to meditate then wisdom and common sense will begin to prevail. A mind disciplined through meditation acts with wisdom.