Persuasive Essay 
Overpopulation 
 
	Overpopulation is becoming one of the most preeminent problems
facing human civilization. This complicated, pervasive issue will come to be
a problem of the utmost importance for people of all races, religions, and
nationalities.
	Our planet now provides for approximately 5.8 billion people, with
projections of around 10 billion by the year 2050. Two billion of these are
extremely poor, the poorest of which live in absolute poverty and misery.
	One very serious effect of the population explosion is its detrimental
effects on the global environment. Increasing amounts of food, energy,
water, and shelter are required to fulfill the needs of human society. Much
of our energy is derived from the burning of fossil fuels-releasing millions
of metric tons of toxins into the atmosphere annually. The amount of land
required for food production will grow increasingly larger, while the amount
of available land will grow increasingly smaller. 
	The affects of overpopulation on human society are many. Suffering
from a lack of resources, people are often driven to war when they become
too numerous for their available resources. Ethnic and racial differences will
grow increasingly frequent and unresolvable. Increasing numbers in urban
areas will lower quality of life in cities around the world. 
	The precipitators of this complex issue are unlimited. Factors such
as poverty, food distribution, and government corruption are all important
aspects.  No one will be unaffected by the repercussions of an
overpopulated world. This highly sensitive and complex issue demands the
attention of all who reside upon this planet, particularly those who have the
ability to work for change.