Correlation+Between+Population+and+Resource+Depletion

= Introduction =

toc Population growth is a distressing subject because it has the capacity to effect vital components in our day-to-day lives. This increasing problem has been the subject of current debates in political, economic, and scientific spheres. Researchers are becoming more and more interested in investigating population growth due to the extensive draining of natural resources; for instance, with the current state of our declining resources the Earth and humanity is facing detrimental effects. This review will discuss current statistics on population growth in developed and developing countries, then overview the current state of diminishing fossil fuels, discuss major natural resources including coal, oil, natural gas, and arable land. The research found in this study overviews existing literature and statistics pertaining to population and resource depletion.

= Population growth in Developed versus Developing Countries =

The average population growth is 1.3 percent per year [4]. Even though this number seems small the population is growing at a staggering rate garnering attention according to the limited amount of resources remaining. There are 7.6 billion individuals in the world and this is expected to reach to 8.6 billion by 2030, 9.8 billion by 2050, and 11.2 billion by 2100 [3]. Developing and developed countries are both to blame for the increase in population growth and strain on nature resources. Developing countries tend to have a higher population growth then developed countries. India is a primary example of a developing country that has a high population growth: with “nearly 1.1 billion people (living on approximately one-third the land of either of the United States or China), has a current population growth rate of 1.7 percent per year” [4]. Other countries face more dire situations than India such as Chad and Ethiopia. These two countries populations are “projected to double in twenty-one and twenty-three years, respectively” [4]. Developing countries are growing at a quicker rate and developed countries are still adding to this problem. The United States for example “standing at nearly 300 million, [and] it has doubled during the past 60 years” [4]. Even though developed countries account for far less population growth they account for a lot more strain on resources. The current research on population growth is dense but unstable according to these rates constantly changing and fluctuating based on births/deaths. Thus, this overview is representative of the time it was posted but needs to be added to and changed, accordingly. Additionally it should be noted that statistics from developing countries may be less reliable and should be more closely examined.

= Diminishing fossil fuels =

There is a finite amount of fossil fuels, land and drinking water on this earth. As population increases we are running out of them even faster. The United States uses coal, oil, and natural gas for 81% of its energy. We need these resources for everything including heating our homes, fueling our cars, and giving us electricity [9]. We use these heavily so we are burning through these fossil fuels fast. Our coal supply in the United States is becoming limited. Consistent projections “are that oil and natural gas reserves of the world will last another 40 years and United States coal is expected to last 50 to 100 years, depending on how fast it is substituted for oil and gas”[1]. And if we take thestrain off coal and onto oil and natural gas then our problem widens to other resources that we will run out of. With population increase we demand more energy every year. Also our “primary energy demand is projected to increase by 1.7 percent per year from 2000 to 2030”[5]. This may seem like a large number but this number will only increase as population increases and diminishes resources further. Similar to population growth this data is unstable and serves as a basis for current and future research. Diminishing fossil fuels are dependent upon a countries population or consumption.

= Coal =

Coal is the main resource for powering our power grid. For example, “in the United States, coal accounts for approximately 50% of the electricity produced”[11]. As urban cities grow due to population increase we will need more energy to supply our power grid. There “are an estimated 1.1 trillion tons of proven coal reserves worldwide. This means that there is enough coal to last us around 150 years at current rates of production”[10]. At our current rate we are going to be out of coal in 150 years but as population increases this rate will increase with it. Coal reserves are found around the world but “five countries have about 75% of the world's coal reserves: China—23% United States—21% Russia—14% Australia—9% India—8%”[11]. Without these reserves countries will not be able to power themselves, and we are close to running out. While this data outlines the current state of coal in countries such as the United States, China, Russia, Australia, and India more work needs to be done to examine other countries that significantly use this resource.

= Oil and natural gas =

Oil and natural gas are major resources as well: “approximately 7.21 billion barrels of total U.S. petroleum consumption in 2016, 47% was motor gasoline (includes ethanol), 20% was distillate fuel (heating oil and diesel fuel), and 8% was jet fuel”[12]. Thus, a large portion of the Earth’s energy relies on these two major natural resources. In addition to this “proven oil and gas reserves are equivalent to around 50 and 52 years at current production levels”[10]. Therefore these resources are on the edge of extinction. Developed countries such as the United States are responsible for a major use of these fuels: “Natural gas use by U.S. consuming sectors by amount and share of total U.S. natural gas consumption in 2016: Electric power—9.987 Tcf—36% Industrial—9.31 Tcf—34% Residential—4.35 Tcf—16% Commercial—3.11 Tcf—11% Transportation—0.74 Tcf—3%”[12]. With all of these factors added together, the United States current state of oil and natural gas is problematic, and with the added tension of population growth, these numbers will continue to keep growing. While developed countries are responsible for a large portion of oil and natural gas depletion, developing countries or smaller countries still contribute to this factor.

= Diminishing arable land =

Another resource that is extremely important but thought about little is arable land. Arable land is land in which we use to farm and raise livestock. In developing counties citizens do not have the knowledge to use the land without depleting nutrients in the soil. There was a study done in 1988 that determined we lose only 1% of arable land each year. But new studies show that through bad farming techniques and urbanization we could lose a lot more [5]. With our growing population food and feed production will need to increase by 70 percent by 2050 to meet the world’s food needs [7]. This is a massive increase and with growing population in developing countries arable land will be destroyed. With the increase in population there is an increase in urbanization. Meanwhile “many cities were founded in agricultural areas, urban expansion is an ongoing threat to farmland” [5]. This means as the population grows we need more roads, cities, and other land which will destroy current possible arable land. While it is stated that bad farming techniques contribute to loss of land, this is not representative of only developing countries. Developed countries may account for poor land use and have higher rates of urbanization. Therefore statistics of arable land from countries with varying degrees of development should be closely scrutinized as they are impacted by population growth.

= Conclusion =

Population growth and resource depletion directly impact each other because each person requires additional energy in order to survive. This outline has overviewed the current state of population growth and what effects it will have on diminishing resources. The diminishing resources that have been outlined including coal, oil and natural gas, as well as arable land all have harmful effects on population growth and a nation’s land.

There are various indicators that exemplify this correlation as a growing problem and thus should be the target of future research. Despite renewable resources being discovered these potentially dangerous effects and statistics should not be ignored. The research, literature, and data reviewed here were all done in the prospect of creating a sustainable future – globally. Additionally, as previously noted some statistics throughout this page are better known than others including, but not limited to: population statistics from developing countries and resource statistics from developing countries. Also, because of the ever-changing state of this topic more research should always be pursued. Instead of beginning work to find and implement renewable resources we should attempt to preserve the current resources we have rather than waiting until they completely run out.

[1] D. Pimentel and M. Pimentel, Global environmental resources versus world population growth, vol. 59. 2006.

[2] S. BILGEN, K. KAYGUSUZ, and A. SARI, “Renewable Energy for a Clean and Sustainable Future,” Energy Sources, vol. 26, no. 12, pp. 1119–1129, Oct. 2004.

[3] “World Population Projected to Reach 9.8 Billion in 2050, and 11.2 Billion in 2100.” United Nations, 21 June 2017.

[4] Pimentel, David, and Anne Wilson. “Population And Its Discounts.” World Wide Institute, Sept. 2004.

[5] B. R. Döös, “Population growth and loss of arable land,” Global Environmental Change, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 303–311, Dec. 2002.

[6] Balga, Pallav. “Dream Rice to Curb Malnutrition.” Archive, The Indian Express, 30 Jan. 2003, archive.indianexpress.com/oldStory/17506/.

[7] Hofstrand, Don. “Can We Meet the World's Growing Demand for Food?” Ag Marketing Resource Center, Feb. 2014,

[8] “Fact Sheet: World Population Trends 2012.” [Online]. Available: http://www.prb.org/Publications/Datasheets/2012/world-population-data-sheet/fact-sheet-world-population.aspx. [Accessed: 20-Nov-2017].

[9] “The National Academies Presents: What You Need to Know About Energy.” Fossil Fuels —, needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-sources/fossil-fuels/.

[10] “Where Is Coal Found?” World Coal Association, www.worldcoal.org/coal/where-coal-found.

[11] Coal and Its Uses, teeic.indianaffairs.gov/er/coal/restech/uses/.

[12]“Use of Natural Gas.” Use of Natural Gas - Energy Explained, Your Guide To Understanding Energy - Energy Information Administration, www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=natural_gas_use.