Facing The Future: People and the Planet
The Modern Era
Photo courtesy of Alwyn
Jones.
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After World War II, relief workers from the
United Nations and other organizations introduced these public health measures
to the less developed regions of the world. Without the historic constraints
of hunger and disease, population growth in those regions has been dramatic
- so dramatic that the term "explosion" has sometimes been used to describe
it. In some regions growth rates reached three to four percent annually,
which equates to a doubling of population every 17 to 23 years.
It took all of human history for population
to reach one billion, but barely a century to reach two billion. The third
billion was added in just 30 years and the fourth in only 15 years. Today,
we’re adding another billion people roughly every 12 to 13 years. If current
rates of increase continue, world population will double again in just
over 40 years.
The vast majority of this growth will occur
in the developing world. Africa is growing at a rate that, if maintained,
will lead to a doubling of population in under 25 years. While most de–mographers
expect fertility rates to decline, South Central Asia is currently on track
to double its population in 30 years, and Central America to double in
35 years.
The choices we make in the next few years
will determine our demographic future. It is possible to stabilize population
through just, humane, culturally-appropriate methods. We can do this by
investing in reproductive health care, education, empowering women, poverty
alleviation, human rights, and sustainable development. Or we can watch
population spiral out of control until natural laws intervene - as they
have throughout history.
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