The exponential increase in world population, combined with a finite level of natural resources, is leading humanity toward a resource shortage. Many First World nations are approaching this issue wholeheartedly. Through technological advancement, environmentally oriented policies, and population controls most developed countries are working to prevent resource shortages. However, while First World nations consume more resources on a person to person basis, it is developing areas (Asia, Africa, South America) that account for 85% of population growth1.
Clearly it is crucial to devote international resources to develop sustainable solutions in developing nations. First and foremost it is important to realize that a multifaceted solution is necessary. Simply halting population growth or increasing production will not be sufficient. Balancing the distribution of development allows the whole population to benefit and prevents massive migrations as people seek more opportune living conditions.
Prosperity through development decreases fertility rates. Primary through indirect social and cultural factors, properly managed development often solves population problems on its own. Increases in nutrition, healthcare, and decreases in poverty prevent families from relying on multiple children for social security. This increase in social security, combined with education and the promotion of women's rights can drastically reduce reproduction rates.
While many would consider women's rights an unrelated social issue, it is clearly linked to population growth and resource sustainability. Access to better healthcare during childbirth, equal education, and equal opportunities allow both the social security and economic opportunities that lead to decreases in population growth. While human rights have advanced internationally, it is important to realize women's rights includes many gender unique issues that often aren't addressed in blanket human rights policies. This Panos briefing shows a number of issues unique to women and offers solutions for the promotion of human rights. Access to safe childbirth conditions, safe abortion options, and the prevention of sexual violence are crucial to developing sustainable nations.
Education is perhaps the most crucial factor in properly managing development. Education not only provides people a means of livelihood, it also promotes tolerance and human rights. As stated in the UN document Our Common Future, "Education should also be geared towards making people more capable of
dealing with problems of overcrowding and excessive population
densities, and better able to improve what could be called 'social
carrying capacities1.'" This blog identifies the lack of funding, internet access, and female education to be the largest threats to education in developing nations.
Finally, as development increases access to new technologies and processes can increase the production of resources. In his document Sustainabilty from 3rd World Perspective Richard Tinsley identifies balance sustainability with self-sufficiency, careful consideration of land use, organic fertilizer usage, integrated pest management, system buffers, and post harvest processing to be the key factors to developing sustainable agriculture.
While there are hundreds of factors that promote sustainability many of them (access to healthcare, social security) often develop on their own as a natural result of develop. This issues addressed here benefit from external support. Many, especially women's rights, can be extremely unpopular in underdeveloped and undereducated areas where populations cannot see or understand the benefits. That is why the promotion of these issues is a crucial part of responsible development.
