World Issues: The Population Myth and Link Between Wealth and Environmental Destruction

This article challenges the population myth that blames the poor for environmental pollution. It argues that the rich are responsible for most of the pollution. The article also explores the link between wealth and environmental destruction using the ideology of idealism. Examples are provided to support the arguments.

Running head: WORLD ISSUES
World Issues
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author’s Note:

2WORLD ISSUES
1. What is the “population myth”? Be specific—write at least 2 full paragraphs to
explain your answer--5 Marks. Provide 5 examples of this myth? (1 mark for each
example)For another 5 marks be sure to describe the link between wealth and
environmental destruction—use at least 2 paragraphs.
The population myth is the common saying that the poorer sections of the society are mostly
responsible for the pollution that is taking place. The most common cause that is usually taught
in the universities or written in most of the papers is that the population increase and the
environmental pollution are related to each other. However, the recent searches show that it is
nothing but just a myth.
 The richer sections have this habit of transferring or shifting the blame onto the poor
people. This is a myth as it has been seen that people who ate responsibly or increasing
the rate of production each year contribute a very little or almost negligible amount of
harmful polluting gases like that of carbon dioxide.
 Urbanization is one of the most current issues that are responsible for the pollution of the
environment. It has been seen that those areas where the population growth has been
higher, the production of the gases like carbon dioxide is the lowest.
 The other example that can be cited in this aspect is that one-sixth of the world
population is poor and it is for this reason that the amount of emissions caused by them is
the lowest. It is because they are poor and leave in poor conditions. They cannot afford to
burn the fossil fuels or use the other form of energy at a large scale in comparison to the
rich classes of people. The richer sections of society might reduce their reproduction rate
but they do not consume less. They consume more amount of energy and thus the amount

3WORLD ISSUES
of emission of the harmful gases is more on their part. A good example can be the private
yacht that is used by the rich people that emit a huge amount of harmful gases into the
atmosphere.
 The other example is that people all over the world have led the foundation of many
campaigns that want to discourage people, particularly people who are poor to control
breeding. There are no campaigns that are trying to deal with the harmful effects created
by rich people.
 The article in Sunday times said that all the billionaires of America have met secretly in
order to decide which one positive and good cause they might support. They are not keen
in finding out any error among themselves but want to curb the poor.
What political ideology does the author use to challenge the “population myth”? Briefly
describe the ideology you choose. 5 marks. (Choose one of the ideologies found in Chapter
2 of the text)Provide five (5) examples to prove your choice. (1 mark for each example).
The author is choosing many of the ideologies like that of liberalism, Marxism, idealism, and
others. I would like to go by the ideology of idealism because I believe that the major thing that
is lacking is the respect, desire to learn and grow. People do not want to understand the view or
the perspectives of anyone else. They are only concerned about their own benefits and not about
others. The lack of respect is one of the most severe things that are responsible for this growing
gap between the rich and the poor. It is for this reason that the rich people are constantly trying to
blame the poor people. People are also losing the optimism. They are somehow giving birth to
the pessimism only the negative vibes among themselves. I would go by this ideology because of
the following reasons

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 If this ideology is implemented then the rich and poor people will try to understand the
views and the thoughts of one another. Be it the Americans or the Africans of the Sahara
regions, there will be a collective approach to solve a problem
 The Billionaires of America will not involve in any political campaign that is aimed at
crushing the poorer sections of the society.
 The political leaders will try to bridge the gap between the rich and poor and not increase
the tensions among them.
 The richer sections of society will try to work and improve on their practices rather than
criticizing the poor.
 The rich people will try to work on activities like usage of private yachts and other high
emission implements.