Ecology, Overpopulation, and World Resources
In 1950, the giant fish Nile perch was introduced into Lake Victoria in an attempt to increase the Lake’s fishery. The observers were unaware of the basic principles of ecology. The introduced fish negatively impacted the native population of cichlid fish species living in the lake. The population of cichlid species decreased from 80% to less than 1 %. And this adventure resulted in 65 % of native species extinction. The total biomass of cichlid fishes had decreased dramatically. The hide of the perch fish is used in belts and purses, and the urinary bladder is used in ornamental soup stock and as a filter material in European alcohol production. This was a temptation for capital without understanding the far more negative consequences. So before going intervening in any natural process, we have to troll each and every aspect of the system, otherwise, for the sake of short-term benefit, we will create a big problem for the long term. The piecemeal activities have far-reaching repercussions on the long-term evolved processes.
In the case of Victoria Lake, firstly, the predators dry the oily skin of fishes using a tree, resulting in deforestation. The eroded soil from that deforested area moved towards Victoria Lake; increasing turbidity and was difficult to breathe, many species were facing difficulties in search of finding a mate because coloration was the only way to find a mate. One miscalculation of human-created imbalance in the delicate natural ecological pattern affected many lives negatively. Continued use of fossil fuels adds more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change. We can see many of the people in our surroundings who are not ready to admit the Climate change. The disturbing of natural processes is detrimental to world resources in a world where overpopulation is getting worse.
Overpopulation is the root cause of every environmental degradation. It is nightmare scenario that is fast unfolding. By the year 2050, it is estimated that the 1.65 billion, Indian population will surpass the 1.3 billion China’s population. Subsequently, the total world population will be 9.6 billion in 20250. We are the human, in the real world depleting world resources on one hand and seeking a healthy environment on the other hand. Apparently, in this era of confrontation for state interest it is unlikely to reach a consensus at least for shared interests; climate change, immigration, and overpopulation. We are the defenders and we are the spoilers on this earth.
Resources are depleted when it is being used faster than it can replenish itself. Our demands are increasing. Cultural development following unnecessary demands, the human species made the planet unsustainable. The excessive use of resources has consequences. In a conversation, a physician was not in a mode to agree with the decline of water resources. The argument he made is that our planet is about 70% water but he forgot about the fresh useable water which is only 2.5 % of 70%. The rest is salt water and is not useful for human use. The Food and Agricultural Organization FAO of the United Nations predicts that in 2025 will have no water to drink. Humans have disturbed the balanced ecosystem. A looming threat of resource depletion is real. If we continue without taking judgmental decisions and steps we will leave a space where people will be struggling for breathing good air.
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