The "7 Billion" Question

     Overpopulation on our planet has become a serious matter of concern for all of us in this time. The population is changing in some way. Now even though we wake up and go outside we don't seem to feel the invisible effects of population rising. Well, just because we haven't noticed the population changing doesn't mean that it's not changing. At many points around the world, the population of cities are expected to grow rapidly despite the measures taken to avert over population on an unthinkable scale. Besides the United States, countries all over are experiencing moments where population is rising and an unknown fate hangs for the human population.

     Today an article for the Associated Press was written today. The article is titled "7 billion people fuel concern over world resources; and it is written by Jon Gambrell. In the article, Gambrell starts off the story by speaking briefly about a young Nigerian mother who gave birth to a newborn baby that she named "Enough". The mother's naming of her child in response to a nurse at a hospital in Lagos is ironic and at the same time appropriate for the situation that the city of Lagos is facing right now. Hospital in Lagos have a limited amount of electricity and that means require power being shared for the newborn babies to receive sufficient amount of oxygen from the hospitals power sources. It is hard to bring life in the world these days while worrying if each time a child is born without upsetting the delicate population balance. Don't get me wrong, children are a wonderful blessing to have in this world. I just wish there was enough room, or still much, much space on this planet to provide for the new lives that walk this Earth. In the article it states, "Where there is life, there is hope," their mother said. But ass the world's population surpasses 7 billion, fear were stirred anew about how the planet will cope with the needs of so many humans"( Gambrell, 1)
     Alot of people are born every single day. So I'm thinking that even though it might be at least seven billion people today, the numbers could change because more people are being born. But there are people who are dying each day too. I feel very upset when comparing the growing population with the numbers of people to dying to serve a mathematical purpose. It makes me appear as inhuman and cold. I would never want anyone to die. But I know that there is a balance in this world that exists for a reason. I'm just not sure if the growing population in certain areas around the world is a sign of the going out of balance, or going through a slight transition.
         In the article, Gambrell also comments on the population when he refers to news made by the United Nations on the issue of over population throughout the world. He states, " The United Nations estimates the world population will reach 8 billion by 2025 and 10 billion by 2083. But the numbers could vary widely, depending on life expectancy, access to birth control, infant mortality rates and other factors"( Gambrell,2). I will admit that I sure hope that the planet does not reach those population number. Or else the whole planet will be a giant big city that is crowded, filthy, and unsafe. Yet I always try to remain optimistic about situations like this. This world has means of population control that do not involve anything destructive. There is birth control and contraception in the 21st century. Limiting birth for anyone who is sexually active around the world is not an impossible mission. However, for parts of the world where contraception is not used frequently, populations tend to over develop in a way that causes crowding areas, poor health, and surprisingly toxic environments. There is a strong link between polluting of the earth and over population. If over population continues around some parts of the world with no option of birth control, then the Earth is not going to be beautiful place. So after reading this article on population, I am convinced that everyone around the world should keep thinking about the population of our planet changing. I would also mention that I do not stand against anyone having children. I love children. All I am saying is that people need to understand there is a delicate balance that we are all apart of. That includes the population of our planet. If we upset that balance and not do something responsible to become at peace with the flow of the world, then there won't be a beautiful planet or planet for the new generation to call a home.