WORLD POPULATION


Human overpopulation - The Great Acceleration

Overpopulation - The Great Acceleration

Despite the Earth being around 4.5 Billion years old, modern humans have only existed for the last 200,000 years. Throughout this time, human behaviours have increasingly impacted the physical, chemical and biological systems of our planet. It is only the last 60 years, however – a period sometimes referred to as ‘The Great Acceleration’ – where man’s collective behaviour has been so dramatic, damaging and (in many cases) irreversible.

The impact of CO2 emissions, temperature rises, habitat destruction, animal extinction and natural resource extraction are all indicators that humans have altered our planet in ways that may affect the survival of future generations. And The Great Acceleration is far from slowing!

Human overpopulation - The Great Acceleration
Human overpopulation - The Great Acceleration

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    • #13443
      Chris Lewer
      Keymaster

      Although modern humans have existed for the last 200,000 years, it is only the last 60 years – a period sometimes referred to as ‘The Great Acceleration’ – where man’s collective behaviour has been so dramatic, damaging and (in many cases) irreversible.

      What has been the most damaging consequence of human overpopulation… CO2 emissions, habitat loss, water pollution?

    • #13478
      Kora
      Participant

      They are all linked, but for me the saddest is habitat loss. The complete disregard we have shown towards other animal species, simply because we want more space and raw materials in order to live ‘comfortable lives’. Well, climate change is going to get very uncomfortable for a lot of people very soon.

      • #13492
        Freebird
        Participant

        I agree. The human race has shot itself in the foot big time and we are only now seeing the affects. Extreme weather patterns are a big sign of what is to come. Extreme temperatures, flooding, wildfires, storms, all increasingly becoming the norm! If the human population had levelled out at 4 or 5 billion, I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be seeing these issues.

    • #13491
      Ocean Lover
      Participant

      Seeing that picture of the polar bear on that tiny piece of ice actually makes my heart ache. The damage we have caused our natural environment in such a short period of time is unforgivable.

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