The world population is growing by more than 90 million per year of which 93% is in developing countries. This rapid escalation in growth of human numbers has created an enormous pressure on our environmental resources.

Following are some of the environmental problems caused due to the increasing population :-

1. Due to overconsumption and the ever increasing demand, the fossil fuel from oil fields is running dry.

2. It has become near impossible to meet the increasing demand for food from the agro systems.

3. The rapid industrialization is creating problems like pollution of air, water and soil.

4. Overgrazing of the pastures leads to the cultivable land becoming barren.

5. Increasing industrialization leads to the discharge of industrial chemicals and harmful gases in the atmosphere increases the greenhouse effect thereby depleting the ozone layer.

6. Due to the immense demand for fresh water, there is a serious chance of ‘water famines’ happening.

7. Degradation of the ecosystem is leading to the extinction of thousands of species, destabilizing natural ecosystems of great value.

8. Once considered an inexhaustible resource, over fishing has depleted stocks rapidly.

9. Due to meet the land demands , large areas of forests are cleared to make way for residential and commercial complexes.

10. Rapid deforestation has resulted in numerous floods, depletion of the underground water level and soil erosion.

11. The growing population adds to the amount of waste generated.

Apart from the above stated environmental problems,the population growth has had serious social problems like :-

• The population growth has lead to increased immigration thereby causing massive urbanization.

Poverty, crimes, diseases and lack of education are some other adverse effects of the population explosion