Overpopulation and biodiversity: Ethical concerns
Throughout the past century, human advancements and technologies have lead to a transformation in our existence, The average human life was 53 years in 1960, while in 2010 it reached 60 years. In 1800 the world's population was one billion, it took 130 years for the population to double and reach 2 billion, and fascinatingly enough, there are more than 7 billion people living on earth now. This exponential growth has many implications on the environment and on the existence of other organisms.
But the irony is, people who have contributed the least to technological advancements are the ones who pay the highest costs. So, is it ethical to act without knowing the consequences of our technological advancements? Humans are improving quickly in our rapidly changing world on the expense of other species. Is it morally correct to allow ourselves chances to grow by stealing other species' lives?
In relation to this ethical dilemma, another point arises: Developing countries contribute more to overpopulation. Fertility rates are much higher in developing nations than in developed ones. So, do wealthy nations have the moral right to blame developing nations for many of the human-related problems arising in our world today? It must be kept into consideration, however, that such developing countries will not consider the ethical views behind world problems until their own basic needs are satisfied (Iyer, 2012)
In response to the problems caused by overpopulation, many solutions have risen. For example, many campaigns were launched to try and lower the fertility rates in Egypt and some have actually succeeded: The fertility rate has dropped from 7.2 children to 2.3 children per woman by 1998, and is still dropping. Such campaigns are ethical and practical, unlike the one child policy in China that the NY Times has called brutal. The Chinese approach to overpopulation has been described as unethical because families are permitted a second child if a fine is paid, which allows the rich to have a second child, but is unfair to the poor who cannot afford to pay the fine.
Other solutions discussed include empowering women and families to decide how many children they want, providing job opportunities for the citizens, especially women as they would not have time for 5 children but instead would raise one or two children in better life conditions, and finally, obliterate the social norms that force women to have more than 2 children.
Scientists expect the Egyptian population to reach 160 million if the situation is not controlled during the following period. The solutions provided seem more ethical than those means in china, the one child policy, as it is unfair and does not promote equality.
As the ethical issues continue to arise, many questions are left unanswered. There are no direct solutions to these ethical dilemmas, and there are always opportunity costs when taking every decision. When trying to solve some problems, we often create others, but isn't this the nature of life?
Want to feel effective?
To sum up, overpopulation and biodiversity are two of the most fundamental and inter-related issues discussed in our world. As explained above, humans need biodiversity for survival, and at the same time biodiversity is threatened by our existence. If we have convinced you enough with the importance of biodiversity, hurry up and donate to the Biodiversity Group to help save some of the exotic species that our earth holds ! Click on the hyperlink above for more details on donation.
Throughout the past century, human advancements and technologies have lead to a transformation in our existence, The average human life was 53 years in 1960, while in 2010 it reached 60 years. In 1800 the world's population was one billion, it took 130 years for the population to double and reach 2 billion, and fascinatingly enough, there are more than 7 billion people living on earth now. This exponential growth has many implications on the environment and on the existence of other organisms.
But the irony is, people who have contributed the least to technological advancements are the ones who pay the highest costs. So, is it ethical to act without knowing the consequences of our technological advancements? Humans are improving quickly in our rapidly changing world on the expense of other species. Is it morally correct to allow ourselves chances to grow by stealing other species' lives?
In relation to this ethical dilemma, another point arises: Developing countries contribute more to overpopulation. Fertility rates are much higher in developing nations than in developed ones. So, do wealthy nations have the moral right to blame developing nations for many of the human-related problems arising in our world today? It must be kept into consideration, however, that such developing countries will not consider the ethical views behind world problems until their own basic needs are satisfied (Iyer, 2012)
In response to the problems caused by overpopulation, many solutions have risen. For example, many campaigns were launched to try and lower the fertility rates in Egypt and some have actually succeeded: The fertility rate has dropped from 7.2 children to 2.3 children per woman by 1998, and is still dropping. Such campaigns are ethical and practical, unlike the one child policy in China that the NY Times has called brutal. The Chinese approach to overpopulation has been described as unethical because families are permitted a second child if a fine is paid, which allows the rich to have a second child, but is unfair to the poor who cannot afford to pay the fine.
Other solutions discussed include empowering women and families to decide how many children they want, providing job opportunities for the citizens, especially women as they would not have time for 5 children but instead would raise one or two children in better life conditions, and finally, obliterate the social norms that force women to have more than 2 children.
Scientists expect the Egyptian population to reach 160 million if the situation is not controlled during the following period. The solutions provided seem more ethical than those means in china, the one child policy, as it is unfair and does not promote equality.
As the ethical issues continue to arise, many questions are left unanswered. There are no direct solutions to these ethical dilemmas, and there are always opportunity costs when taking every decision. When trying to solve some problems, we often create others, but isn't this the nature of life?
Want to feel effective?
To sum up, overpopulation and biodiversity are two of the most fundamental and inter-related issues discussed in our world. As explained above, humans need biodiversity for survival, and at the same time biodiversity is threatened by our existence. If we have convinced you enough with the importance of biodiversity, hurry up and donate to the Biodiversity Group to help save some of the exotic species that our earth holds ! Click on the hyperlink above for more details on donation.