Rapid human population growth spells more trouble for environment

Different environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, deforestation and biodiversity loss have one thing in common, namely humans as the main reason behind their creation. The more people means sadly more environmental issues, and the latest UN report says that world population could reach 11 billion by the end of the century.

World is yet to unite on solving major environmental issues, and things will become more harder with more people involved. The growth of human population is sadly the topic that has gone off the world's agenda in favor of other major global issues, such as climate and poverty, despite more than obvious interconnection between these issues.

The factor of better education is vital in this whole equation. Better education leads to better family planning, and this is something that should become priority among the developing countries. Education is not only key to family planning but to global environmental protection because educated people are more likely to comprehend the magnitude of current environmental issues.

Of course, tackling poverty and hunger still remains a necessity. It is easy to understand why poor and hungry people care very little for environment surrounding them. When your only concern is how to survive the day the last thing you worry is whether the air you breathe and water you drink is clean and is climate really changing or not.

Global population reached 7 billion in 2011. With new, improved policies there could be enough resources for all of us, which would no doubt lead to better environmental condition of our entire planet. However, seeking for global justice in this world of ours is nothing but an utopia, a sweet dream that ceases to exist once you open your eyes.

The environmental issues are just one of the many examples proving that our society still needs major upgrade before fulfilling the role of guardians on this planet. So far, it looks like our mission was more destroy, rather than guard. We keep forgetting that Earth is still our only home.