“Although the issue of overpopulation hasn’t been neglected, it is largely missing from

most current discussions of climate change. For example, Bill McKibben’s latest book
makes no mention at all of any issues concerning population, nor does Elizabeth
Kolbert’s, The Sixth Extinction (2014).” (Lotto, 2022, p. 19)

Annotations:
This quote points out that overpopulation, despite being an issue that urgently needs to
be addressed, is often absent from mainstream conversations about climate change.
The writer cites notable works such as Bill McKibben’s latest book and Elizabeth
Kolbert’s The Sixth Extinction (2014). This observation suggests that there is a gap
between problem scoping and finding a viable solution to it.

Lotto, D. (2022). Climate Change and Overpopulation. The Journal of Psychohistory,

“Although the one-child policy reduced China’s fertility, particularly in the early period of
its introduction, some researchers have argued that China’s below-replacement fertility
in the long run was mainly driven by socioeconomic development rather than the
government policy.” (Zhang, 2017, p. 11.)

Annotation:
The author here suggests another point of view to the readers with respect to China's
infamous “One-child policy”. He mentions that socioeconomic development was one of
the reasons for China’s extremely low fertility rate.

Zhang, J. (2017). The Evolution of China’s One-Child Policy and Its Effects on Family
Outcomes. The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 31(1), 141–159.
[Link]

“Due to rise in human population there is a scarcity of resources. People started using
more and more natural resources without saving it for future.”(Dutta, 2019, p. 50.)

Annotation:
The author talks about the downsides of rising population in India, explaining issues
such as scarcity of resources etc.
Dutta, M. (2019). Environmental impact of overpopulation in India. Clarion: International
Multidisciplinary Journal, 8(2), 49-.
[Link]

“So, since sustainability and the capacity to flourish for everyone are worth striving
for,the global population needs to be reduced. Increasing mortality rates is not a viable
policy option; therefore, we need to decrease birth rates.”(Stanbury, 2022, p. 843)

Annotation:
Increasing mortality rates cannot be an ethical option to bring balance in the death and
birth rates, hence citizens must be encouraged to decrease birth rates.

Stanbury, C. (2022). What to Do about Overpopulation? Journal of Applied Philosophy,

“Over 50 years ago, China recognized that its population was increasing at an unwieldy
rate. According to a report of the Birth Planning Commission (1993),in 1936, the birth
rate in China was 38% with a mortality rate of 28%, yielding an increase of 10%. It was
recognized that if 90% of the families had only one child, there would be parity between
births and deaths. Chinese authorities feared that the large population would bring
disaster to the country and suffering to the people. Thus, in 1956, the government called
for family planning, yet adopted no strong measures to slow the birth rate. At the same
time, medical facilities were expanded and many infectious diseases were brought
under control. Thus, mortality decreased dramatically (from 18% to 4%), while birth
rates continued to rise.” (Rosenburg et al, 1996, p. 54)

Annotation:
This provides a historical background on China’s plans to control birth rates. China had
recognised that overpopulation would be a prospective problem that it would face due to
its rapidly growing population. The government encouraged family planning in 1956
which was unlike its later formed one-child family policy. China’s birth rates were higher
than its mortality rates due to the great medical system it had which caused an
imbalance.
Rosenberg, B. G., & Jing, Q. (1996). A Revolution in Family Life: The Political and
Social Structural Impact of China’s One Child Policy. Journal of Social Issues,
52(3), 51–69. [Link]

“The program went so far as to emphasize the need for equitable treatment of girls and
boys with respect to nutrition, health care, inheritance rights, education, andsocial,
economic, and political activity.”(Rosenburg et al, 1996, p. 65)

Annotation:
Since boys were preferred over girls in ancient China, the one-child policy did more
harm than good to the gender ratio. This caused inequality amongst girls and
boys in China which had to be addressed. This took place in the Cairo
Convention of 1994.

Rosenberg, B. G., & Jing, Q. (1996). A Revolution in Family Life: The Political and
Social Structural Impact of China’s One Child Policy. Journal of Social Issues,
52(3), 51–69. [Link]

“There is evidence to support the idea that overpopulation is largely a social issue,
given that 90% of population growth occurs in poorer countries. 22 This may suggest
that there is an important link between overpopulation and socioeconomic factors such
as poverty and reduced access to education” (Brown, 2021, p. 4)

Annotation:
Brown suggests that factors such as poverty and limited access to education may be
another reason for higher birth [Link] suggests the need for addressing education
and poverty as part of efforts to manage population growth effectively.

Brown, J. (2021). Controlling overpopulation - is there a solution? A human rights

“From the discourse of this article, it can be observed that there are generally two
approaches to population control, regulationist and voluntarist.” (Brown, 2021, p.13)
Annotation:
The regulationist approach involves policies that strongly or forcefully encourage
limitations on population growth, them mostly being government-enforced measures. In
contrast, the voluntarist approach emphasizes on individual choice and empowerment,
allowing people to make their own decisions regarding family size without direct
government intervention.

Brown, J. (2021). Controlling overpopulation - is there a solution? A human rights

“The effect of overpopulation can be found out in a family itself where there are more
children than the affordable capacity of parents. The family members will face problems
like lack of room, food and clothes; children will be deprived from better education
facilities; poor living standards; unemployment etc.”(Dutta, 2019, p. 50)

Annotations:
Illustrates the direct impact of overpopulation at the family level. It often leads to issues
such as overcrowded living conditions, insufficient food and clothing, and limited access
to quality education for the children.

Dutta, M. (2019). Environmental impact of overpopulation in India. Clarion: International