Saturday, December 14, 2013

Two Long Term Problems

- Moti Nissani
Scientists are worried about what is happening to the world. It is becoming much polluted. The pollution has caused many diseases. Many types of plants and animals are disappearing, whereas human population is going up. The population growth has caused careless use of natural resources and production of harmful poisons and waste materials. Soil erosion, desertification, and deforestation are also growing.
           
The human population is growing fast because more people are born than die. Because of development in nutrition, sanitation and health, people live longer. Nepal’s population has reached from 9 to 23 million in less than 50 years. With the present annual population growth rate of 2.5% (given in the essay), Nepal’s population will be almost 46 million by the year 2026.
           
There is no benefit of over-population. More people will need more food. More trees will be cut. The environment will be more polluted. Crime and conflict will also rise. So, the quality of life will decrease. The more people the world has, the more severe these problems are likely to become.
           
The population growth can be controlled. Modernization, literacy, media campaigns, family planning measures and contraceptives, and equal economic, educational and legal opportunities for women can help in this effort. But action is needed.
           
The population growth and modern life style of people have caused deforestation. Forests are cut down to turn the land into farmland. The demand of rich people in the west for beef is also causing forest land to be changed into grassland for cattle farming. Rich people’s demand for wood and paper products is also causing the destruction of forests. Many forests are also destroyed by pollution, tourism activities, construction of houses and factories, and similar practices. The destruction of forests causes greenhouse effect, acid rain, loss of plant and animal species, landslides, soil erosion, droughts, and weather extremes.
           
We can save our forests by controlling our numbers and wants. For this, investment on family planning efforts and education should be increased. Special or extra tax should be imposed upon those who use wood products. The preservers of forests should be provided with financial incentives. Reforestation or planting of trees can be another effort for conserving forests. Smokeless chulo (stove) which can give enough heat with less firewood should be encouraged for use in the village households.
           

If we want, we can have fewer people and more trees. We know how it can be done. But we lack wisdom, courage, and compassion to convert this knowledge into reality.

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