8 Billion People, is it good or bad?

On November 15th, 2022, we officially reached a world population of 8 billion. But is that a good thing? For years we have been worried about what overpopulation can do to our planet and resources. With the population growing by the second, should we be scared for the future? 

With the growing population, UN member Antonio Guterres stated, “It is a reminder of our shared responsibility to care for our planet and a moment to reflect on where we still fall short of our commitments to one another." The UN has estimated that "the global population is growing at its slowest rate since 1950, having fallen under 1 percent in 2020. The latest projections by the United Nations suggest that the world’s population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050. It is projected to reach a peak of around 10.4 billion people during the 2080s and to remain at that level until 2100."

Cons:

  • Food. How are we supposed to feed all of these new people? The world isn't growing, we only have so much land to farm or use for manufacturing. 
  • Diseases. Scientists have proven that more than half of the infectious diseases that humans contract can become deadlier because of climate change. More people, more pollution, more climate change. More people also means that diseases can be spread easier. 
  •  Temperatures. Rising temperatures due to climate change can also affect the population in a negative way. It can cause droughts, which cause food and water shortages. It can also cause long-term damage to individuals. 
  • Resources. The more people, the more resources that we need to use. 

Pros:

  • It can cause migration, allowing the population to spread out more evenly. 
  • Technology will get better to allow for an easier life. 

There weren't very many pros I could find for the 8 billion people. 

 

What do you think?

Is the increase good or bad?

Do you want more people?

 

 

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Replies

    • I agree! I feel like the increasing population will just keep putting more pressure on farmers. There is only so much land to grow crops on. Also, cities will need to start expanding, taking up more valuable farmland. 

  • I think the increase is bad, a majority of those people won't be geniuses to change the world for good. A lot of those people are lazy and don't want to work. I think if we had 8 billion people who are hard workers and wanted the change things, then it would be good.

    • Exactly, more people are lazy, not hard-working. I think that there are more cons than pros. I feel an increase in population is the last thing this planet needs. 

  • I think that having eight billion people is more bad than good. I feel that it having more people will just keep on making more problems for food and diseases. Also, as the population keeps increasing, then temperatures will probably keep on going up. I think that the current population is good and if the popualtion keeps on rising then more problems could occur.

  • I think its both good and bad, because with more people comes more popluation and more population ncause global warming worse. Personally to me I don't want more people in our country because we have enough people. Plus also I think it bad because a lot of people are starting to loose their jobs and can't afford stuff.

    • I agree, I also think we have enough people. I think it is important to look at how our climate is right now and understand how more people will affect it. 

  • It can be good or bad. I think that the more people we have the better things we can do like figuring out stuff that we did not know. It can be bad as well because more people will equal more trash and plants.

    • I understand your point of view, but it is also important to understand the negative affects this can cause on our environment, ecosystems, water, resources, etc. 

  • I think its both good and bad, because with more people comes more polution and more polution would make global warming worse and worse. the good part about having more people is that more people means more people to help figure out ways to stop global warming or more people to help find cures for cancer.

    • I agree, there are definitely benefits, but I also feel like the disadvantages overrule the advantages. 

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