Anthony Ricigliano - Articles and News By Anthony Ricigliano --- According to the global statistics, population growth has accelerated dramatically over the last two hundred years. Estimates are that the world reached one billion people circa 1800. By 1922, another billion people had been added to the global population. In the following 78 years the population tripled to six billion. Birth rates have slowed from their peak in the late 1990's to approximately 134 million per year, but that level is expected to remain constant for the near future. Should that birthrate be sustained, estimates are that the global population will hit 9 billion by 2050.

With a fixed quantity of natural resources, population growth at current levels will continue to reduce the elements which play a role in everyday life. There are already growing contingencies of experts voicing great concerns over peak oil, potable water, and a host of other non-renewable resources.

The second threat posed by the world's growing population comes in the form of the waste it generates. Landfills, for example, continue to be packed with household items which break down into pollutants which can contaminate groundwater reserves, further depleting limited water resources. Further damage is done as contaminants become concentrated, also referred to as magnified, in crops, animals, and sea life consumed by humans. Disposal of non-toxic materials also has deleterious effects in terms of the cost of replacing, instead of recycling, products used on a day to day basis. The savings in energy, water, and associated natural resources as provided by recycling are truly stunning. Here are a few factoids on the savings provided simply by recycling, an activity which doesn't require monetary investment, just a commitment to take the extra step to do the right thing:

* Recycling one ton of paper saves approximately 7,000 gallons of fresh water and 380 gallons of oil. The same one ton of recycled paper also can save enough electricity to run a medium sized home for six months.

* Recycling a single aluminum can save enough energy to run a television for six hours.

* Recycling a single glass bottle saves an energy equivalent of what it would take to light a one hundred watt bulb for four hours

Recycling then pays dividends in three ways with the first being the savings in land required for landfills. The second is the reduction of waste, which upon breaking down develops into contaminants. The third dividend comes in the form of massive savings on multiple fronts including energy, water, and the resource itself. Community recycling efforts have now become so widespread and accessible that it requires very little effort for individuals to participate in an activity which provides huge benefits and grows in importance on a daily basis.