UNIT 4 – Biological Resources and Sustainability 3.4.1 Human Populations

1. UNIT 4 – Biological Resources and Sustainability3.4.1 Human Populations • The impact of individuals on the environment • A comparison of population numbers and per capita consumption on overall resource use. • Candidates should consider the per capita consumption rates for different resources in a range of different countries and compare these with their population growth rates.

2. World Population Totals Population Growth Rate How is population growth measured? What differences do you notice?

3. What affects the impact that a country has on the environment? • Population totals • Population growth rate • Wealth (affluence) • Rate of resource consumption For each of the above explain why and how it might affect environmental impact.

4. What is an Ecological Footprint? • Estimates the area of the Earth’s surface that is needed to provide the resources that are used by the human population and to deal with the wastes produced. • If the total footprint of the entire population is less than the area of the planet then the population can be supported.

5. What does this mean? August 19th 2014 is the day when humanity has exhausted natures budget for the year. So every 8 months we demand more than the planet can provide1

6. Ecological Footprint

7. Comparing population growth rates and environmental impact. Use the following websites to complete your comparison grid Is there a relationship between GNI and resource use? Why is this? Is there a link between population growth and resource use? Explain this? Is there a link between GNI and ecological footprint? Explain the link. How might high affluence reduce environmental damage?

8. CO2 emissions since 1820 Which countries create the most emissions? Make your predictions now!

9. UNIT 4 – Biological Resources and Sustainability3.4.1 Human Populations The population / resource balance – the concept of sustainability Candidates should be aware that the environmental impact of individual lifestyles varies greatly and is influenced by many factors: • Affluence eg the ability to buy more goods and the energy needed to manufacture and operate them. • Personal choices eg whether to buy recycled goods, low-energy appliances, organic foods, how to travel. • Products and services available eg the availability of products and services that have a lower environmental impact: public transport, recycling facilities, energy supplies

10. Strengthening the role of women Protect forests Fight poverty Protection of freshwater and oceans Tackling desertification and drought Protection of atmosphere Changing consumption patterns Sustainable agriculture Protecting biodiversity Agenda 21 Education for responsible global citizenship – Agenda 21 This is the UN initiative to encourage the inclusion of sustainable objectives in the plans and actions of governments, governmental organizations, NGOs and other groups. It was developed following the Rio Summit of 1992 education Pollution control

11. Raising Awareness with Campaigns • Wastebusters • Reduce, reuse, recycle • Keep Britain Tidy • Bag for Life • Switch it Off • Fair Trade • For a campaign of your choice: • Find a logo • Describe which aspects of Agenda 21 it satisfies. • Who runs it (charity/government) • Explain how it reduces environmental damage