OPEN MINDS Rising population is putting a strain on our natural resources

Thousands of children are dying daily across the globe due to starvation. The world’s population is inching towards eight-billion mark. How much life can planet earth sustain? The population of the earth is increasing at a geometric rate, while food production is increasing only at an arithmetic rate. Human population will soon outstrip our ability to produce food, and there will be catastrophe by 2025.

The planet is experiencing an unprecedented demographic upheaval. This stress is manifesting itself in increased natural disasters. Wildfires threaten mankind because we are moving nearer into forests. Floods inundate more homes as populations expand into floodplains. Such extreme events are stoked by climate change, fuelled by increasing carbon emissions from an expanding global population.

As the earth’s population grows at the rate of 76 million per year, most of us seem to ignore or be unaware of the magnitude of this rapid expansion and the vast changes that it is causing throughout the world. Yet the impacts of the growing world population on the land, water, energy and biota resources are real and indeed overwhelming.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 60 per cent of the world population is malnourished, the largest number and proportion of starving people ever reported in history. Further, many serious diseases, like malaria, HIV/Aids and tuberculosis are increasing, because the increasing density and movement of human populations facilitate the spread of diseases.

Fishless oceans could be a real possibility by 2050. According to the United Nations, 30 per cent of fish stocks have already collapsed. One billion people, mostly from poorer countries, rely on fish as their main animal protein source.

It is hard to say about water other than that we are in dire need. There are 1,385 cubic kilometres on earth. Most of this is salt water, and not suitable for human consumption. There are already severe water shortages in Africa and parts of Asia. We are graphically witnessing a war of resources, which imperils international security, and could trigger massive military intervention on a global scale. Does this scare anyone?

There are 1,385 cubic kilometres of water on earth. Most of this is salt water, and not suitable for human consumption.

Proud to be a part of this country

We celebrated the UAE Flag Day with full enthusiasm. We raised the flag with pride and honour in our homes, schools, offices, malls and at other government institutions. However, some places it seems use the flag as a normal piece of cloth wrapped around pillars or trees to show respect. That shouldn’t happen. I feel we all, whether locals or expatriates, should put more efforts in celebrating these key occasions in the UAE. It is the time we can show how respectful we are to the country and how proud we are for being a part of this nation. As the UAE gears to celebrate its 47th National Day, I feel everyone should be more respectful. This is the time to show our solidarity and love for the UAE.

— Ishrat Ali Khan, Dubai WRITE TO US AT