The Problems of Overpopulation Come From Selfishness

Human overpopulation [1] is a problem because of the quality of selfishness. We live selfish lives and consume natural resources selfishly, we don't think about others or the impact we have on the environment.

Here are a few notes about the world's population:

1. Total World Population:
• The world's total population has more than doubled over the last 50 years.
• In 1960, the world's population was ~3 billion, in 2012 it was ~7 billion. [2] 
2. Life Expectancy:
• Life expectancy has increased by about 20 years over the last 50 years.
• The life expectancy in 1960 was ~52 years, in 2012 it was ~71 years. [3]
3. Birth Rate:
• The birth rate has decreased by about 45% over the last 50 years. Women are having fewer babies.
• In 1960, the birth rate was 35/1,000, in 2012 it was 19/1,000.
4. Mortality Rate:
• The death rate has decreased by about 50% over the last 50 years. Fewer people are dying. People are living longer because of advances in medicine, because they're taking better care of themselves etc., which is a good thing.
• In 1960, the death rate was ~16/1,000, in 2012 it was ~8/1,000. [4]

Even though the birth rate has dropped and women are having fewer babies, the population continues to grow because the death rate has dropped, people are living longer due to advances in medicine and because people are taking better care of themselves.

However, because we're immersed in the quality of selfishness, human overpopulation has negative consequences for us and for all of Nature. For example, we're depleting non-renewal resources without contingency plans.

We have to change from personal selfishness (seeking to benefit ourselves) to mutual bestowal (seeking to benefit others). We have to rise above our egos, stop harming others (and all of Nature) and seek to benefit others instead of ourselves. In this way, we'll reach harmony and balance with each other and with all of Nature.

When we change from selfishness to bestowal, we'll want as bestow to as many people as possible, the more the better. Human overpopulation will become a non-issue.

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References:

1. Human overpopulation. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Oct 5, 2014.
2. Population. Goodle. Public Data from World Bank. Sept 19, 2014. Retrieved Oct 5, 2014.
3. Life Expectancy. Google. Public Data from World Bank. Sept 19, 2014. Retrieved Oct 5, 2014.
4. Birth rate. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Oct 5, 2014.
5. Mortality rate. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Oct 5, 2014.

Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.