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  • Title: Population and natural resources: a statement.
    Author: International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources IUCN. Council, International Planned Parenthood Federation IPPF. Members' Assembly.
    Journal: Earthwatch; 1984; (16):1-7. PubMed ID: 12339363.
    Abstract:
    The World Conservation Strategy provides a guide to sustainable development through the careful use of natural resources but does not explore the complex interrelationships between populations, natural resources, and social and economic conditions. This discussion attempts to make good that omission and, suggesting appropriate action, focuses on the following: population trends and the resource challenges of biological diversity, cropland, and food, water, and energy resources. Among the poorest groups even the basic needs for food, water, fuel, and shelter are far from adequately met at this time. Often, rapid growth or maldistribution of population undercuts efforts to meet elementary needs, but a high quality of life entails much more than the simple provision of physical necessities. The links between human numbers and natural resources must be analyzed in terms of overall social goals. Neither population policies nor resource conservation strategies are ends in themselves. Population and conservation policies must be part of broader efforts to evolve ecologically sustainable patterns of development in countries at all economic levels. The current global rate of population growth of some 1.7% masks great differences among regions. Populations have nearly stabilized in the more developed countries but are growing at 3% in Africa. In most countries, no serious effort has been made to introduce measures for the joint management of population and resources. Almost entirely through loss of habitat, which in turn reflects the upsurge in human numbers and consumption, species are becoming extinct at a rate of hundreds and possibly thousands each year. This represents an irreversible loss of unique genetic materials. Throughout the world the quality of arable land is being impaired by a combination of urbanization, desertification, erosion, and salinization, and in most countries the rate of soil loss from croplands is far in excess of the rate of soil formation. Only moderate additions to the global arable lands will be economically feasible. Many countries are increasingly reliant on food imports. According to a recent Food and Agriculture Organization study, 65 countries will be unable to feed their projected population from their own lands by the end of the century if farming methods remain at their present low levels. Demand for water is growing several times faster than population. In addition to problems of supply, the reliability of water flow is being disrupted in many areas as watersheds are deforested. A serious consequence of rising prices and scarcity of fossil fuels will be increases in the costs of food production.
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