The Human PopulationSection 2 Objectives Describe three problems caused by rapid human population growth. Compare population growth problems in more- developed countries and less developed countries. Analyze strategies countries may use to reduce their population growth. Describe worldwide population projections into the next century.

The Human PopulationSection 2 Population Trends High rates of growth can create environmental problems –Needs overwhelm the infrastructure of a community. Infrastructure: basic facilities of a country or region. –roads, bridges, sewers, power plants, subways, schools, and hospitals.

The Human PopulationSection 2 Problems of Rapid Growth Wood is removed from local forests faster that it can grow back –In poorest countries, wood is the main fuel source –Needed to sterilize water, cook food Wastes overwhelm local water sources Suburban sprawl, inadequate housing, overcrowded schools.

The Human PopulationSection 2 Impacts on Land shortage of arable land. –Arable land: farmland to grow crops trade-offs between competing uses: agriculture, housing, or natural habitats.

The Human PopulationSection 2 Impacts on Land Urbanization: an increase in the ratio or density of people living in urban rather than in rural areas. Suburban sprawl: traffic jams, inadequate infrastructure, reduction of land for farms, ranches, and wildlife habitat caused by increase in suburbs.

The Human PopulationSection 2 In recent years, the international community has begun to focus on the least developed countries. Least developed countries: countries that have been identified by the united Nations as showing the fewest signs of development in terms of income, human resources, and economic diversity. –given priority for foreign aid and development A Demographically Diverse World

The Human PopulationSection 2 Many countries favor stabilizing population growth through investments in development, especially through improvements in women’s status. Fertility rates have declined in both more-developed and less-developed regions. –Prediction: most countries at zero growth by Managing Development and Population Growth

The Human PopulationSection 2 Projections to 2050 Looking at the graph below, most demographers predict the medium growth rate, and a world population of 9 billion in 2050.