OVERPOPULATION

Overpopulation is a condition whereby the human population rises to an extent exceeding the
support capacity of an area or ecological setting. In an overpopulated environment, the numbers
of people might be more than the available essential materials for survival such as transport, water,
shelter, food or social amenities. This regularly contributes to environmental deterioration,
worsening in the quality of life, or even the disintegration of the population.

Overpopulation is caused by several factors which are decline in the death rate, better medical
facilities, higher fertility rate, immigration and lack of family planning. Overpopulation may or
has already becomes a serious problem. It can cause:

1. Depletion of Natural Resources

2. Accelerated Habitat Loss
3. Amplified Climate Change and Global Warming
4. Depreciation of Fresh Water
5. Lower Life Expectancy and Diminished Quality of Life
6. Emergence of New Pandemics and Epidemics
7. Intensive Farming Practices
8. Rise in Unemployment, Crime Rate, and Violence

Population should be supported by the carry capacity of an area, if population exceed the carry
capacity of an area, it can cause major problems as stated above. Population shortage is also a
serious problem as a system needs a population to balance the ecosystem. Therefore, a balance of
population and earth support capacity is needed to ensure the sustainability of environment.

3.4 Relationship between LSPB 4 with Wacana CL-2

In the second paragraph of CL-2 text, it states that Java not only burdened with extractive
industries, but also by a high population density of 1057 inhabitants per kilometer. More than 50%
of Indonesians live in Java island and it may cause serious environmental problem.

Java population growth is caused by several factors which are immigration, and high birth
rate. Uncontrollable population growth becomes the main factor of environmental problem. This
problem has to be overcome before it exceeds the support capacity of Java island. To overcome
this problem, there are several solutions that can be considered, which are:

1. Transmigration
Immigration is one of the major problem of overpopulation in Java Island. To reduce
the population of Java Island, transmigration problem is a good solution as
transmigration can be done instantly.
2. Develop other area outside Java.
The main reason people immigrate to Java Island is because the area they are coming
from is not developed enough. Developing areas outside java can lower immigration
rate as people do not have to come to Java to seek wealth anymore.
3. Education
One of the first measures is to implement policies reflecting social change. Educating
the masses helps them understand the need to have one or two children at the most.
4. Making People Aware of Family Planning
As population of this world is growing at a rapid pace, raising awareness among people
regarding family planning and letting them know about serious after effects of
overpopulation can help curb population growth. One of the best way is to let them
know about various safe sex techniques and contraceptives methods available to avoid
any unwanted pregnancy.
5. Regulation
In case people do not follow any of undirect solutions as stated above, government
should make a strict regulation. There are two regulations that may be used to overcome
overpopulation which are: Keluarga Berencana and Additional Taxes. Keluarga
Berencana program will regulate the maximum number of kids that can be owned by a
family. Additional Taxes is given to family which exceed the number of kids allowed.