YEAR 2022/2023

SEMESTER 1

ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING PROCESS
ENEN3004

ASSIGNMENT 2 - THE ENGINEERING AND

SCIENTIFIC SOLUTIONS PROPOSED TO
COMBAT OVERPOPULATION BY 2050

Student Name:
David MITCHELL

Student I.D.:
52049

Lecturer:
Dr. Clint SUTHERLAND
Table of Contents

ASSIGNMENT 2 - THE ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC SOLUTIONS PROPOSED TO COMBAT OVERPOPULATION

1.0 ABSTRACT................................................................................................ 2
2.0 CAUSES AND GLOBAL CONSEQUENCES OF OVERPOPULATION .......................... 2
2.1 CAUSES OF OVERPOPULATION............................................................... 2
2.2 CONSEQUENCES OF OVERPOPULATION ................................................... 3
3.0 SIGNIFICANT NON-TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS TO OVERPOPULATION ...................... 4
4.0 SIGNIFICANT TECHNOLOGICAL (ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC) SOLUTIONS TO
OVERPOPULATION ............................................................................................... 5
5.0 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................ 7
6.0 REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 7

BY 2050 | YEAR 2022/2023 SEMESTER 1

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1.0 Abstract

ASSIGNMENT 2 - THE ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC SOLUTIONS PROPOSED TO COMBAT OVERPOPULATION

Overpopulation is the country whereby the human populace rises to an extent exceeding
the carrying capability of the ecological setting. In an overpopulated environment, the
wide variety of humans may be extra than the accessible critical substances for survival
such as transport, water, shelter, food, or social amenities. This in many instances
contributes to environmental deterioration, worsening in the exceptional of life, or even
the disintegration of the population. [1]

It is estimated that about 81 million people add to the world’s population annually.
Regions with the highest number of population density (the number of people living in
a given region) feel the dire effects and problems of overpopulation. Due to immigration,
the decline in mortality rates, medical breakthroughs, and increased birth rates,
populations will always increase and eventually gives rise to overpopulation. [1]

2.0 Causes And Global Consequences Of Overpopulation

2.1 Causes of Overpopulation

Overpopulation is an undesirable situation where the quantity of the present human
populace exceeds the genuine carrying potential of Earth. Overpopulation is precipitated
by using a quantity of factors. Reduced mortality rates, higher scientific facilities, and
depletion of treasured assets are a few of the causes which end result in overpopulation.
It is possible for a sparsely populated region to turn out to be densely populated if it is
no longer in a position to sustain life. [2]

Growing advances in technology with each coming year has affected humanity in many
ways. One of these has been the ability to save lives and create a better medical
treatment for all. A direct result of this has been the increased lifespan and the growth

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of the population. [2]

The Decline in the Death Rate with the difference between the overall birth rate and
death rate in populations whereby the number of children born each year is greater then
the number of adults that die will destabilize the population with the effect leading to
over population. [2]

Agricultural advancements in the 20th century have allowed humans to increase food BY 2050 | YEAR 2022/2023
production using fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides and yields further. This allowed
humans with more access to food that leads to subsequent population exponential
growth. [2]

Science was able to produce better means of producing food, which allowed families to
feed more mouths. Besides, medical science made many discoveries, thanks to which
they were able to defeat a whole range of diseases and became the starting point of
overpopulation. [2]

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However, when talking about overpopulation, we should understand that there is a
psychological component as well. Poverty is considered as the leading cause of

ASSIGNMENT 2 - THE ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC SOLUTIONS PROPOSED TO COMBAT OVERPOPULATION

overpopulation. In the absence of educational resources, coupled with high death rates,
which resulted in higher birth rates, that is why impoverished areas are seeing large
booms in population. [2]

With the latest technological advancement and more discoveries in medical science, it
has become possible for couples who are unable to conceive to undergo fertility
treatment methods and have their own babies leading to an increase in population. [2]

Many people prefer to move to developed countries where the best facilities are available
in terms of medical, education, security, and employment. The result is that those
people settle over there, eventually making those places overcrowded. If the number of
people who are leaving the country is less than the number of people who enter, it
usually leads to more demand for food, clothes, energy, and homes. [2]

Most developing nations have a large number of people who are illiterate, live below the
poverty line, and have little or no knowledge about family planning or have access to
contraceptive. Besides, getting their children married at an early age increases the
chances of producing more kids. Those people are unable to understand the harmful
effects of overpopulation, and lack of quality education prompts them to avoid family
planning measures. [2]

2.2 Consequences of Overpopulation

The effects of overpopulation mainly contribute to the depletion of resources. The Earth
can only produce a limited amount of water and food, which is falling short of the
current needs. Also indiscriminate cutting down forests, hunting wildlife in a reckless

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manner, causing pollution, which creates a host of other problems. [2]

With the overuse of coal, oil, and natural gas, it has started producing some serious
effects on our environment. Besides, the exponential rise in the number of vehicles and
industries has badly affected the quality of air. The rise in the amount of CO2 emissions
leads to global warming. Melting of polar ice caps, changing climate patterns, rise in sea
levels are a few of the consequences that we might have to face due to environmental
pollution. [2] BY 2050 | YEAR 2022/2023

Overpopulation in developing countries puts a major strain on the resources it should

be utilizing for development. Conflicts over water are becoming a source of tension
between countries, which could result in wars. [2]

When a country becomes overpopulated, it gives rise to unemployment as there are

fewer jobs to support a large number of people. The rise in unemployment gives rise to
crime, such as theft, as people want to feed their families and provide them basic
amenities of life. [2]

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As the difference between demand and supply continues to expand due to
overpopulation, it raises the prices of various essential commodities, including food,

ASSIGNMENT 2 - THE ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC SOLUTIONS PROPOSED TO COMBAT OVERPOPULATION

shelter, and healthcare. This means that people have to pay more to survive and feed
their families. [2]

Poverty is linked to many environmental and social reasons, consisting of overcrowded

and unhygienic residing conditions, malnutrition, and inaccessible, inadequate, or non-
existent health care, for which the poor are greater likely to be exposed to infectious
diseases. Further, excessive densities of populace make bigger the danger of the
emergence of new pandemics and epidemics. [2]

When the availability of resources is scarce, starvation, malnutrition, along with ill
health and diseases caused by diet-deficiency such as rickets become more likely.
Famine is typically associated with less-developed regions, and there is a high
correlation with poverty levels. [2]

Approximately 3% of the earths water is fresh and roughly 1% of it is accessible surface

water. Overpopulation is a major issue that creates enormous burden on the world’s
freshwater supplies. [2]

A large proportion of the world’s population growth occurs in less developed countries.
Therefore, lower life expectancy caused by large rise in population is experienced by
less-developed nations. This causes a shortage of resources in these countries resulting
in less access to medical care, freshwater, food and jobs, and ultimately in a sharp fall
in life expectancy. [2]

The impact of overpopulation on the world’s wildlife can be severe. As demand for land
grows, the destruction of natural habitats, such as forests, becomes common which can

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decrease the number of species on the planet, risking their survival. [2]

With the growth of population over the years, farming practices and the increase
industrial development have evolved to produce enough food and other industrial
supplies required to provide for a larger number of people. However, this intensive
farming method cause damage to local ecosystems and the land that may pose problems
in the future including climate change due to the machinery required. [2]
BY 2050 | YEAR 2022/2023
3.0 Significant Non-Technical Solutions To Overpopulation
One of the first measures is to implement policies reflecting social change. Educating
the masses helps them understand the need to have one or two children at the most.
Governments can even offer Tax Benefits or Concessions for those married couples who
have single or two children. [2]

Family planning and efficient birth control can help in women making their own
reproductive choices. Open dialogue on abortion and voluntary sterilization should be
seen when talking about overpopulation. [2]

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Many young women and girls around the globe are not enrolled in school. The majority
of these live in male-dominated societies, that does not give women equal right to

ASSIGNMENT 2 - THE ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC SOLUTIONS PROPOSED TO COMBAT OVERPOPULATION

education as men. The girl who receives less education is more likely to have children
early and vulnerable to exploitation. Moreover, impoverished families are less likely to
enroll their female children in school. [2]

As the population of this world is growing at a rapid pace, raising awareness among
people regarding family planning and letting them know about serious after-effects of
overpopulation can help curb population growth. One of the best ways is to let them
know about various safe sex techniques and contraceptive methods available to avoid
any unwanted pregnancy. [2]

Government can educate the public on overpopulation effects. The intervention can be
made widespread at a low cost. A variety of print materials (flyers, brochures, fact
sheets, stickers) can be distributed in places such as at local places of worship, sporting
events, local food markets, schools and at car parks. [2]

Municipalities should set growth management boundaries, discouraging sprawl

development on their fringes. Towns and cities should purchase surrounding lands, or
the development rights to such lands, in order to set them aside as nature preserves
and open space. City councils should pass resolutions accepting limits to growth, and
directing their national governments to develop policies to stabilize or reduce national
populations. [3]

Make modern contraception legal, free and available everywhere, even in remote areas
and improve health care to reduce infant and child mortality. Make sterilization free, for
men and women, or at least covered under all healthcare plans. Legalize abortion
without restrictions or social stigma. [3] Create a national population policy built around

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an optimal population size, and work to achieve it, while setting aside half the national
landscape free from intensive development and dedicated to biodiversity protection. [3]

Create a new global treaty to end population growth, with all countries choosing
population targets every half decade with a plan on how to achieve them similar to
national development plan. [3]

4.0 Significant Technological (Engineering And Scientific) Solutions to BY 2050 | YEAR 2022/2023
overpopulation
By the year 2050, civil engineers ideally incorporation with the other various engineering
fields have the duty of devising options to mitigate the adverse effects faced by
overpopulation. [4]

For people living in disaster-prone areas worldwide should use disaster-resistant

construction techniques and develop good disaster action plans and smart construction

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to save lives and minimise the need for reconstruction, hence saving on precious
resources. [4]

ASSIGNMENT 2 - THE ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC SOLUTIONS PROPOSED TO COMBAT OVERPOPULATION

Construction material needs to be more economically used as the world becomes
crowded. Buildings can be design more energy- efficient, by moving air and regulating
their temperatures passively and reuse its waste water and even generate their own
power. [4]These building is more commonly known as green buildings and can range
from houses, offices, schools, hospitals and even community centers. [5]

Telemedicine is the emerging field of healthcare using cheap communications via the
Internet and SMS to allow experts to gather data and diagnose patients remotely without
seeing them in person. That kind of care is lowering costs in developing countries now
and it could become more important as populations rise. [4]

Reusing our waste will be increasingly important in the new world of 9 billion people
and composting toilets are a double-pronged solution to improving hygiene and reducing
the spread of diarrheal disease, and they can fertilize crops. [4]

Millions of people worldwide, lack access to safe drinking water today. As the population
increases, we will need more fresh water for farming and drinking than ever before. To
make sure everybody can drink enough, water desalination may become much more
important. [4]

Irrigating a farm can increase the amount of food it produces. To feed a growing
population we will need better irrigation using drip irrigation. Drip irrigation conserves
water and energy. Combined with low-cost pumps, it can be affordable for impoverished
farmers. [4]

New and improved seeds can improve farmers’ yields, meet our growing demand for

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calories and nutrition, and protect crops against pests, floods and droughts. [4] With
this increase yield, Training farmers to build storage facilities from local materials saves
post-harvest losses. [5]

In the coming decades, the world will need more food, therefore cities may require to
grow their own food. Subsequently, this would create much needed green areas in cities.
[5] Two major options emerged to accommodate high-powered urban farming are; BY 2050 | YEAR 2022/2023
vertical and rooftop farms. Vertical farms are typically hydroponic farms located inside
of a multi-story building, a concept brought about by health professor Dickson
Despommier. [5] Fortunately, rooftops have already been integrated into apartments
around the world, and as such the design has been altered into farming pods. These
pods integrate with the housing beneath for the improvement of indoor air quality, waste
water treatment and temperature regulation. This solution would help reduce the
amount of land needed to be cleared for commercial scale farming while still being able
to feed the masses. [5]

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Another solution is the use of green buildings which are buildings that in their design,
construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create

ASSIGNMENT 2 - THE ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC SOLUTIONS PROPOSED TO COMBAT OVERPOPULATION

positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment. These buildings preserve
precious natural resources by moving air and regulating temperature passively and even
generates its own power. Green buildings can range from houses, offices, schools,
hospitals and even community centers. [5]

5.0 Conclusion
Just with the aid of the mere definition of overpopulation, I am of the opinion that
overpopulation is greater of a social trouble alternatively than a technological one.
However, as a future civil engineer of this ever-evolving society, it is fundamental to have
the abilities and the accountability wanted to create sustainable environments even as
enhancing the pleasant of lifestyles to deliver about new improvements and innovations
to deal with problems of overpopulation. [5] The aforementioned civil engineering and
scientific options can be applied to resolve the problem of overpopulation, however,
these options highlighted the want to work hand in hand with different fields of
engineering to accomplish the tasks. While conducting stated options for mitigating the
penalties of overpopulation, it is the purpose that the following engineering desires are
met in the process. These engineering targets are key components for coping for future
improvement with purpose of forming phase of the answer to overpopulation. These
targets encompass the usage of current sustainable applied sciences and lowering
energy waste, replenishing groundwater resources, enhancing the storage of extra
water, as well as growing the effectivity of desalination plants. [5]

6.0 References
[1] https://www.issuesonline.co.uk/articles/what-is-overpopulation

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[2] https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-
overpopulation.php

[3] https://mahb.stanford.edu/library-item/solutions-overpopulation-can/

[4] https://www.engineeringforchange.org/news/ten-technologies-to-manage-a-
crowding-world/
BY 2050 | YEAR 2022/2023
[5] https://samplius.com/free-essay-examples/overpopulation-by-2050-and-your-
role-as-a-civil-engineering/