Unit 4 Global Human Population

1. Unit 4Global Human Population Lesson 3 Solutions to Overpopulation

2. Global Human Population

3. A. Theory and Reality • The problem with the predictions made by many demographers and mathematicians is that they are often inaccurate. • The Base Data May be Wrong • High illiteracy in developing nations • Inaccurate census information • Remote villages do not trust government officials • Lack of funds for accurate census taking

4. A. Theory and Reality • Population predictions also reflect the assumptions of the demographer • Philosophies behind the production of children vary from one culture to another • Family Size • Marrying Age • Religious and Traditional View of Fertility

5. A. Theory and Reality • Occurrence of Random Events • War • Africa, Haiti, Afghanistan, Civil Wars and Revolutions • Environmental Degradation • Sub-Saharan Africa - Stripped of vegetation - no longer able to support life. • Famine • Disease - Plague • 15 million death and climbing from HIV/AIDS • Ebola Virus • Cholera • Small Pox • Bubonic and Pneumonic Plague

6. B. Over and Under Population • Overpopulation occurs when the number of people has grown disproportionately to its resource base. • Africa • Asia • South America • Haiti: Unlike other Caribbean islands, Haiti did not develop its tourism base but relied on plantations. Haiti is now barren and unable to support life. • Newfoundland experienced a similar problem as fish stocks became depleted.

7. B. Over and Under Population • Under Population occurs when there are too few people to fully develop the resource of an area - much waste is produced. • Depending on one’s point of view: • Canada may be underpopulated. In fact its total population may follow its decreasing rate of natural increase if immigration does not continue. • Canada is overpopulated and should reduce its population to protect its natural environment.

8. C. Population Distribution and Density • Population Distribution • Africa and Asia contain 75% of the world’s population - Are they overpopulated? • North America and Oceania contain less than 6% of the world’s population - Are they underpopulated? • Population Density • Europe > 250 people/km2 • Africa < 20 people/km2

10. C. Population Distribution and Density Land Mass and Population

11. C. Population Distribution and Density • When comparing land mass, it appears that there is still room to grow in the Americas, Oceania and Africa. • What data is missing from this analysis of the world’s population? • Resource Availability • Resource Development • Resource Consumption • A region’s resource base will determine its ability to support a population

12. D. Solving the Problem of Overpopulation • Possible solutions to overpopulation include the following strategies: • Increase the resource base • Improve technology • In the past, improvements in technology went a long way in expanding the resource base. Some problems with the 1950’s-1960’s Green Revolution include:

13. D. Solving the Problem of Overpopulation • In the past, improvements in technology went a long way in expanding the resource base. Some problems with the 1950’s-1960’s Green Revolution include: • Farmers in the Developing World could not afford the technology • Serious health problems for those exposed to chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

14. D. Solving the Problem of Overpopulation • In reality - much of the world’s resource base in shrinking as many areas have been practicing unsustainable resource extraction: • Newfoundland fish stocks • Agricultural development in clear-cut rainforests

15. E. Overpopulation and Migration • Spatial Distribution of Population • Stressed Farmland • Inadequate Agricultural Practices • Push and Pull Factors in Migration • Politics • Agricultural Opportunities

16. E. Overpopulation and Migration • Employment --> Urban Migration • Began in the late 1700’s with the Industrial Revolution • Population Boom (Stage 2 DTM) • Not enough farmland for all the children to inherit. The inheriting of land only works when zero population growth occurs.

17. E. Overpopulation and Migration • Migration is not a solution to overpopulation as the numbers of those who migrate to countries like Canada is minuscule compared to those who remain behind.

18. F. Overpopulation and Foreign Aid • Overpopulation is most common in Developing Countries as they have too few resources for their growing populations. • Birthrates tend to fall as social services improve.

19. F. Overpopulation and Foreign Aid • For a country to enter Stage 2 and 3 of the DTM, standard of living needs to improve. It is an impossible task for the Developing world to raise education, health care and social services without the aid from foreign sources.

20. F. Overpopulation and Foreign Aid • Views Related to the Nature of Foreign Aid • Humanitarian View • Wealthy nations have the responsibility to help out • We feel compelled to provide aid. • Pragmatic View • Overpopulation must sort itself out • Providing aid promotes dependency • When food is provided for free, food production decreases leading to a collapse of the local subsistence economy

21. F. Overpopulation and Foreign Aid • Nationalistic View • Poverty at home must be sorted out before money is spent elsewhere • Internationalist View • Overpopulation must be sorted out through intervention • Intervention through the providing of social programs to sustain for the long term.

22. United Nations and Family Planning Video

23. G.The Role of the United Nations • Set up after WWII to prevent the occurrence of another world war. • It has since expanded its mandate to improving the living conditions throughout the Developing World.

24. G.The Role of the United Nations • UN Organizations • WHO - World Health Organization • The attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health • Immunization • Education • Sanitation • FAO - Food and Agricultural Organization • To eliminate hunger by raising • nutrition levels • living standards • quality of food production and distribution

25. H. Alternative Institutions • World Bank • Provides funds and technical support to advance economic development in Developing Countries. • Criticized of its lending policies as many debtor nations have been unable to repay even the interest on these loans. • Suggestions to lend technological and financial support at the “grass roots” level in lieu of expensive mega projects.

26. H. Alternative Institutions • Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) • NGOs are international organizations that are supported by religious groups, service industries and other non-profit organizations whose goal is to enable people to give themselves a better life. • Red Cross • CARE • World Vision • Doctors without Borders

27. H. Alternative Institutions • Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) • By being smaller than operations such as the WHO and World Bank, NGOs can accomplish what the larger organization cannot. • They do not impose political restrictions • They make on-to-one contact with the actual people who require assistance.