Effects on the Environment When Population Change Results in Urbanization

Increase in population prompting to urbanization has an unfavorable effect on the environment. According to Sherbinin, Carr, Cassels and Jiang (2007), land conversion for development is an irreversible approach by humans. Due to a large number of people in the urban areas, the natural amenities and infrastructure get exhausted at an alarming rate. Moreover, in urban areas, population change means that most people will not have access to buildings with appropriate sanitation and clean water. Urbanization hastens the reduction of biodiversity, loss of productive farmland, alters the climate and affects the demand for energy (Sherbinin, et al., 2007). On the positive side, with urbanization people tend to move from rural areas to towns; therefore, decreasing the weight on the rural environment. Since most of the population change takes place in urban areas, people living in the countryside will have the task to produce food for the urban population.

Population change plays a critical role in maintaining the unbelievable assets of the world. People’s social life, regions they live, and the utilization of resources has a significant impact on the environment (Sherbinin, et al., 2007). Regarding the relationship people have with the natural resources, individuals tend to acquire more assets at the same time creating more waste, which adversely affects the environment. One of the problems with population change is that in situations when a large number of people share predetermined assets, they always strain the earth.

Another impact is that the need to meet the ever increasing demand for civic amenities results in the setting up of new institutions and industries to produce goods and services. This means that there will be increased level of emission in the air and generation of industrial waste thus affecting the lithosphere and land resources. Also, citing Sherbinin, et al. (2007), garbage combustion due to population change and urbanization creates an environmental problem. Since people wants to get rid of their wastes, they decide to burn them in their compounds. The gasses emitted by burning garbage affects the environment.

Effects of Population Change from the Structural-Functional Approach

Regarding the structural-functional approach, society encompasses a complex system with each aspect contributing to its function as a whole. The existence of social institutions helps in stabilizing society (Kendall, 2012). This approach perceives urbanization as utilitarian for the development of society. In the past, urban areas focused on generation and appropriation. Currently, urban areas focus on organization, funding, and data. Although urban regions have been useful to the population, it has prompted the expansion of normlessness. Besides, urbanization has weakened security amongst people. Social attachment relies on shared qualities and beliefs; however, in urban areas, the existence of the social union is due to specialization and urbanization driven by increased social differences. According to functionalists, increased rates of immoral conducts are signs of social disorder (Kendall, 2012). Additionally, the structural-functional perspective perceives various dysfunctions of urbanization such as ecological devastation, homelessness, and congestion.

Effects of Population Change from the Social Conflict Approach

With the social conflict approach, the emphasis on urban regions concerns the influence and benefits of improving operations in the area. The theory states that the interaction of individuals or groups within society is based on conflict rather than agreement (Kendall, 2012). Besides, the theory perceives individuals’ social life as a competition. Presently, multinational corporations are searching for new markets, quality services, and crude materials thus prompting urbanization. Similarly, the contention perception focuses on explaining how organizations make choices that influence urban population on financial issues. Many decisions regarding the creation of shopping centers and demolition of homes to build offices are encouraged.

Effects of Population Change from the Symbolic Interaction Approach

Symbolic interaction perspective states that the communication and interaction of people are driven by gestures, words and other symbols (Kendall, 2012). According to this approach, the behavior of humans towards things is based on the meaning they get from those things. Besides, people get meanings that things have due to social interaction. Therefore, citing Kendall (2012), symbolic interaction theory emphasizes on the influence of implications and definitions on conduct. The application of this perspective is found in attempts to change the general adverse meaning individuals have on urban zones. The perception people have regarding urban communities is that they are dangerous. Urban regions are places with filthy spots, thugs; therefore, the environment is not good for one to live a better life. Such perceptions demoralize people from moving to urban areas. Organizations may feel that they cannot grow in such an environment. Additionally, the theory emphasizes on how the human efforts affect the qualities, ideas, and practices of people. In most cases, you can understand a person by relating to the place they live. The manner in which people live in urban areas shape their qualities and practices.

Summary

Factors that drive population change include socioeconomic conditions, natural amenities, demographic characteristics, cultural and political forces, and land use and development. These elements have resulted in overpopulation, which has negatively impacted the environment. Population change plays a critical role in the growth of urban communities. The effect of urbanization on the environment include increased levels of emission in the air and generation of industrial waste due to the creation of more industries and institutions to meet the ever increasing demand for civic amenities. Other impacts are the reduction of biodiversity, loss of productive farmland, climate change and growing demand for energy. Different theoretical perspectives explain population change and the environment. Finally, there is need to carry out further research on the relationship between population change and drought because due to climate change, drought is more likely to become frequent.

References

Chi, G., & Ventura, S. J. (2011). Population change and its driving factors in rural, suburban, and urban areas of Wisconsin, USA, 1970–2000. International Journal of Population Research, 2011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/856534

Kendall, D. (2012). Sociology in our times. Cengage Learning.

Sherbinin, A. D., Carr, D., Cassels, S., & Jiang, L. (2007). Population and environment. Annu. Rev. Environ. Resour., 32, 345-373.

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