1. The Population Explosion

2. World Population Growth Rate has declined. - 2% in 1970s down to 1.4% in 1998. - Still 80 million people added to the world each year. Average growth rate higher in developing countries - 3.3 children (women in developed countries) - 6 children (women in Africa) Large portion of population is younger than twenty - 2.2 billion (90% in less developed nations) - even with lower birth rate – should see continued rapid population growth - even when families begin to have children at replacement levels…it takes time for this to have an effect.

3. Overpopulation -Overpopulation: A condition that develops when the standard of living or living conditions are lowered or adversely affected because a country or region has more people than the land and resources can support. -Carrying Capacity: describes the number of people a given area of land can support adequately without degrading or harming the land and environment. ** If an area’s carrying capacity is exceeded, then we can say that the area is overpopulated.

4. Responsibilities & Consequences -Everyone’s “fault” -Entire world is suffering the consequences of an ever increasing human population -Less Developed >> Developed (Pop. Growth Rate) -Does not mean overpopulation in LDCs is more harmful -Pop. added to MDCs has greater destructive effect on the Earth -Global warming (lifestyles of people living in MDCs) -MDCs -Exploit poorer nations -Fail to assist and provide support to LDCs – help address population concerns