Section 2 – Changing Population Trends The Human Population Section 2 – Changing Population Trends

Changing Population Trends High rates of growth create environmental problems. Growing population - uses resources at an increased rate Overwhelm the infrastructure of a community.

Infrastructure Infrastructure - basic facilities of a country or region Roads, bridges, sewers, power plants, subways, schools, and hospitals.

Problems of Rapid Growth Resources are used faster than the environment can renew Standards of living decline Wood removed from forests Waste overwhelm water sources

A Shortage of Fuelwood Poor countries – wood is main source of fuel Stable populations – deadwood Unstable – live trees Africa, Asia, and India

A Shortage of Fuelwood Without fuelwood - many people suffer from disease and malnutrition Can’t boil water or cook food

Unsafe Water Water supplies can be used for drinking as well as washing or sewage disposal Disease Dysentery, typhoid, cholera

Unsafe Water 2001 – Over 1 billion people lacked clean water 3 million died Example: Rio Grande or Lima, Peru

Impacts on Land Arable land – land that can be used to grow crops Competing uses for land: housing, agriculture, or natural habitats

Arable Land in Egypt on the Nile 4% is arable

Urbanization Urbanization – movement of people from rural areas to cities Work in city and live in suburbs Suburban sprawl – reduction in lands

A Demographically Diverse World More developed vs less developed Factors include: education, industry, income, etc Least developed countries – show few signs of development, increasing death rates, and high birth rates

Growth Rates

Managing Developing and Population Growth Population growth can limit economic development China, Thailand, and India have try to limit birth rate Public advertisements Planning programs Economic incentives Legal punishments

Worldwide fertility rates are dropping

Growth is Slowing Human population – 6 billion and growing Now closer to 7 87 million per year – 1985 to 1990 81 million per year – 1990 to 1995

Growth is Slowing Fertility Rates declined around 1970 Higher in less developed regions

Projections to 2050