Population, Resources and Environment: A Global Perspective

The interrelation of the major problems facing the world—population, food, energy, and raw materials—is examined. The magnitude of these problems vary widely from nation to nation. Unable to cope with four billion people, the world is anticipating nearly three billion more by the end of the century. Urban regions are at present growing at twice the rate of the overall population growth. The best indication that certain areas of the globe are already overpopulated in terms of their resources and development is the present world hunger. The task of more than doubling world food production by the end of the century presents great difficulties. Even if we produce enough food, there remains the problem of distribution. Increasing energy requirements and the recent increase in energy prices affected the developing nations even more adversely than the developed nations. These crises have led to a debate on the possible ultimate limits.