Special Topics
Population and Environment

Within five years half the world's population will live in urban areas, placing cities—especially those in developing countries—at the forefront in determining the kind of world that lies ahead, according to this 4-page preview issue of Population Reports released prior to the UN General Assembly's special session which will review progress of the Istanbul 1996 Habitat II agenda setting out "approaches and strategies towards the achievement of sustainable development of the world's urban areas." A longer, more detailed report will be published in 2002.

As world population continues to grow, natural resources are under increasing pressure, threatening public health and social and economic development, warns this report. The report discusses ways to reduce pollution and waste, preserve arable land, protect freshwater and ocean resources, safeguard forests, preserve biodiversity, and address global warming. The report stresses the need to stabilize population in the long run.

Nearly half a billion people around the world face water shortages today. By 2025 the number will explode fivefold to 2.8 billion people—35% of the world's projected total of 8 billion people.

Growing world population could overwhelm the food supply this century. There are signs that by 2025, when world population is projected to total over 8 billion people, food production may not keep up with demand.

This chapter summarizes how slowing population growth would help to take the pressure off natural resources and preserve the environment. It focuses on the decline of available freshwater and arable land; prevention of increased pollution; the rapid growth of cities; and potential conflicts over use of natural resources.