It is well-known that climate change can be linked to population growth. Multiple climate models indicate that an increase in population can be correlated to an increase on emissions. Population pressure has adversely affected human health, natural resources and food security. Each person who is born in America produces over 9,441 tons CO2 (Hedberg 2019, 2019). The United States, Canada and China are the most carbon-emitting countries, with the exception of China. Many living in industrialized nations rely more on fossil fuels to support their modern lives. A growing population leads to a greater demand for fossil fuels. When they are burned, these fuels emit CO2 to the atmosphere. If the world’s population reaches nine billion in the next 50 years, it is becoming increasingly likely that the planet will not be capable of absorbing the extra greenhouse gas emissions. Despite accounting for just 5% of the world’s population, the United States is responsible for around 25% of all CO2 emissions (Ritchie & Roser, 2020). However, while population growth rates in advanced nations have remained steady or increased in recent decades, they are experiencing an increase in industrialized countries. This will make it more difficult to mitigate the effects of climate change and global heating by increasing population size and growth. As fertility control will be a key part of reducing the world’s population, it is definitely a feasible method to reduce climate change.
Students react
A classmate of mine has provided insightful comments on how fertility control might play in combating climate change. My classmate also suggested that fertility control measures will be crucial in improving both the health and well-being of mothers and children, as well as conserving natural resources and mitigating global warming.