Research Proposal, Part 1: The Effects of an Increased Population on the Environment

Thesis:
Although an increasing population can be good for economic development, the environment is becoming less stable due to overpopulation because it causes more pollution, leads to overcrowding, and causes a strain on finite resources.

Outline:
I. Pollution
A. Air pollution
1. Increased transportation leading to an increase of green house gases
2. More factories required to supply the increased demand again increasing green house gases
B. Water Pollution
1. Increased waste spilling into waterways causing contamination.
2. Increased farming causing the runoff of toxins into the water system.
II. Over-crowding
A. Biodiversity lost due to clearing homes for housing, farms, and agriculture.
1. Increased population requires land clearing that leads to a loss of habitats for many species and a less diverse ecosystem.
2. Over-crowding of farms leads to use of chemicals and antibiotics that causes contamination of the soil.
B Over-crowding of farms leading to production of too much waste.
1. Animal living conditions causes increased change for disease and food contamination.
2. Excessive Antibiotic use has led to the development of superbugs.
III. Strained Resources
A. less available food and water to go around due to population increase.
1. Less safe drinking water available to drink due to contaminated waterways.
2. More contaminated food due to the need to factory farm food.
B. High demand on energy resources leading to their depletion and need for new technology.
1. Energy resources running out faster than new technology can be developed.
2. New technology will require rebuilding the energy infrastructure, creating a strain on new resources, and increased waste from old infrastructure.