THE EFFECTS OF POPULATION GROWTH AND POVERTY IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines the effects of population growth and poverty in environmental sustainability in Nigeria. Environment sustainability covers the conservation, management and rational utilization of natural resources in such a way to maintain the integrity of each ecosystem, support all life, ensure the preservation of biodiversity and prevent environmental degradation. The pillars of environmental sustainability includes sustainability development, social sustainability and economic sustainability which is the thrust of this study. The study also discloses that rapid population growth has dents on environmental sustainability which reflects in deforestation, bushburning, haunting, destruction of the environment through pollution which significantly impact on the total health of human beings. In conclusion, the complex and dynamic of effect of population and poverty towards environmental sustainability is seen to be mediated through a number of socio-economic, cultural, political, and developmental variables which have relative significance that vary from one context to another. Some economists, biologists, and environmentalists have observed that over-population have hands on poverty which vis-à-vis leads to denaturing of the environment in quest of daily survival. Therefore, degradation, erosion and earthquake can adversely affect environmental sustainability just as oil and gas activities in the Niger Delta does affect the natural environment of the South-South people of Nigeria. It is on this premise that recommendations are made that government should enact environmental laws and policies that will enhance afforestation safeguarding; government should create awareness on the effects of environmental sustainability; and government should establish an available mechanism to stabilize population so as to protect the environment.