The Population Explosion

The Population Explosion

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.

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.

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