Population growth increases pressure on natural resources. As the population grows, the demand for resources such as water, food, energy, and land intensifies, leading to greater exploitation and potential depletion of these resources.
Increased Demand: A growing population requires more resources to meet its needs. This includes more agricultural land for food production, more water for consumption and irrigation, and more energy for household and industrial use.
Resource Depletion: Higher demand for natural resources can lead to over-extraction and depletion. For example, excessive groundwater withdrawal can lead to aquifer depletion, while overfishing can deplete fish stocks.
Environmental Impact: Population growth can lead to environmental degradation, including deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. The expansion of human activities often encroaches on natural habitats, leading to a decline in ecosystem health.
[References:, MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology (2022) - Discusses the impact of population growth on natural resource demand and environmental sustainability., ESG-Ratings-Methodology-Exec-Summary (2022) - Highlights the pressures on natural resources due to increasing population and the associated environmental challenges., , , , , ]
