explain how increases in human population are the number one cause behind environmental degradation.?

Answer 1

First, humans take up space. They need somewhere to live... That means a building of some kind. Which means more of the natural environment must be used for buildings to house humans. More buildings and less nature.

Second, humans consume things. They consume water, food, electricity, oil, gas, coal, etc. And where do all those things come from? They are natural resources that must be depleted at ever-increasing rates. And of course, the energy sources listed cause more pollution. And of course, humans must compete with other humans for resources, and also with wildlife for resources. More for humans, less for wildlife. So it goes.

Thirdly, humans create waste. First is bodily waste which, believe it or not, does not disappear when we flush it down the toilet. The first rule of Ecology is that everything has to go somewhere. Nothing disappears simply because we can't see it anymore. That waste has to be dealt with somehow.

Fourth, Humans make trash. Piles and piles and piles of it! Mountains of it. All they do is throw it away and like I said, it has to go SOMEWHERE.

Fifth, Humans are by nature more interested in pleasure and self-preservation rather than the betterment of all humanity. They don't care how much harm is done to the environment as long as they can continue with their lifestyle.

Well there's some compelling reasons why increased population is destroying our species and the planet as a whole.

Answer 2

I would have to accept the basic premise that this is true, before I could try to explain it, and I don't happen to accept that. I do not believe that the increase in human population is the number one cause behind environmental degradation.

I believe it is in the increase use of non-biodegradable materials by the more affluent people on the earth. The majority of people still live, give birth, grow, and die in absolute poverty, with out contributing to the degradation of the environment.

The problem is caused by about 10% of the people misusing 80% of their share of the resurces.

Answer 3

As the number of people increase:
1. They need more land to live on. So, now people in countries all over the world are starting to move in and into inland and the are cutting down more and more trees. So, they are moving deeper inside the forests and stuff and turing the forests into modern places.

Then they complain that there is a mountain lion that might hurt them or there are insects and stuff..DUH! It is the animals land they just took over.

2.) More poeple then more food/paper/water...all the needy things.
So then they kill more and more animals and trees and dig more and more into the ground for water. So, these are the basic reasons.

Then the animals become endangered because the people start killing them either for their protection or for food or for resources like horns,fur,skin.

It is a big big problem in every SINGLE country.

Answer 4

it all depends on what you call environmental degredation

increases in human population have made possible big cities

I like big cities, so for me, they are the least degraded of environments

so, from my perspective, increases in population have improved the environment, and not degraded it at all

Answer 5

Here's an excellent explanation from Population Connection (formerly Zero Population Growth):

http://www.populationconnection.org/Communications/FactSheets/Pop%20and%20Env%202002.pdf

Answer 6

in just 20 years, the Earth will have a projected 9 BILLION people.

Considering each person consumes an average of 1000lbs of food a year, uses 20,000 of fresh water, generates 2 tons of garbage, and emits 5,000 lbs of C02. You get the message.

Answer 7

The more people there are, the more likelihood there is of yet another sad mope looking to find something wrong. The following answers will demonstrate what I mean.

Answer 8

increase in trash, more housing, more gas emissions, etc. Human beings are not meant to be this close together.

Answer 9

because of deforestation, more cfc's from refrigerators and ac units!