Population Growth and Natural Resources

Population growth and natural resources are interrelated. The former influences the quantity or availability of the latter. This relationship may be exemplified in two ways. First is in the ability of the growing population to manage and maintain natural resources. As the population grows, then, there would be a great number of people taking care of these natural resources. However, this scenario is one that is ideal.

Second is in the fact that the population depends largely on natural resources, such as freshwaters, croplands, fisheries, and forests, to sustain life. With this, the requirements for these natural resources accelerate as the population escalates. In other words, rapid population growth implies the need to produce more goods and services to accommodate the larger population. Consequently, more natural resources, serving as production inputs are needed to increase production of goods and services needed by the population.

It must be noted that the availability of natural resources also dictates population growth, among other factors. While natural resources have the so-called regenerative capacity, this, however, does not guarantee perpetual support to life. Certainly, mismanagement of natural resources of the growing population could damage said capacity, which in turn, could ultimately lead to decline of both natural resources and the population. As natural resources depletion gets worse, population growth may have the tendency to slow down despite the availability of alternatives to support life.