Natural resources utilization, population growth and the environment (Mt. Elgon study)

Herbert Wepondi, Busiu Development Foundation

Population growth impacts on natural resources management, bio diversity conservation, Environment, Health, and socio economic development. Uganda’s population is dependant on the Environment for survival, with 90% of the population involved in agriculture. With population growth, mans activities have increased along mount hills and rivers causing contamination, depletion. As well planning for big populations becomes difficult. All these are a great threat to the environment and accelerators of climatic change. . Inadequate awareness amongst communities of the dangers of poor resource utilization, weak leadership, large population growth rates, limited resources coupled by low incomes in communities makes it difficult for development and as well achieving the millennium Development goal seven of ensuring environmental sustainability. Nevertheless, there are many actions to be shared in population, environment and development. Population pressure has an impact on Climatic change which is affecting the Environment Globally. Population growth also has an impact on Water resource management, a big challenge in most developing nations and yet water is life for Humans, plants, basic to hygiene and our daily life and as well a source of power. Water is a base for development like agriculture and economic growth. Water brings about Jobs, education, Environmental sustainability and as well improving Health. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. It has been historically driven by an atmospheric build-up of greenhouse gases (GHGs) generated mostly by the industrialized world. The consequences of climate change—more intense hurricanes and typhoons, rising sea levels, drought, heat waves, major disruptions to agriculture—will be felt by communities around the world. (PAI fact sheet)