Families in Orange County love using local parks and nature for various activities, including hiking, walking, or simply enjoying the scene. However, these activities face an uncertain future to a problem that is often overlooked: overdevelopment.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, overdevelopment refers to “the process of building too many new houses, factories, etc. on an area of land.” Overdevelopment is one of the leading causes of climate change.
Despite this, overdevelopment is necessary because of the growing population. A study from the Population Media Center approximated that the global population would be approximately 11 billion people by 2100, up significantly from the current number of 8 billion.
In addition, another study from the Farmland Information Center showed that 6.2 million acres of farmland would be converted for urban uses and 12 million acres would be converted for residential use. This is the equivalent of the combined areas of Massachusetts, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Considering that farming is one of, if not the signature backbone of America, this projection raises obvious concerns. We can’t simply take these natural areas away.
That’s where we step in. Our organization, Saving the Parks of Monroe (SPOM), has made it a goal to spread awareness regarding the cons of overdevelopment. This article is our final project for our AP Literature class.
The parks and local nature displayed in the photos above are more than just green areas – they’re places where families spend quality time and where animals live. While our society must continue to develop land in order to support the ever-growing population, it is vital that our local areas remain protected.
