How Is Overpopulation Responsible for Environmental Degradation?

The causes of environmental destruction are unequal access, inequitable consumption of resources and differential sharing of responsibility for environmental well-being. Over population in third world countries is often cited as the cause of environmental degradation. However, an average American consumes 40 times more resources than an average Somalian. Similarly, the richest five percent of the Indian society probably causes more ecological damage because of the amount they consume than the poorest 25 percent. The former shares minimum responsibilities for environmental well¬being. If we talk about India, over half of India’s natural forests are gone, one third of its wetlands drained out, 70 percent of its surface Water bodies polluted, 40 percent of its mangroves wiped out and with continued hunting and trade of wild animals and commercially valuable plants, thousands of plant and animal species are heading towards extinction and who is to blame ? This is only the result of overpopulation and increasing demands.