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Transcript of Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Population, Global Inequality, and the Environmental Crisis This...
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
Chapter 15Population, Global Inequality, and the Environmental Crisis
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
Chapter outline• Fertility• Mortality• Migration• Theories on growth
Population Growth
• World Hunger• Controlling Fertility• ImmigrationProblems• Environmental Degradation• Air Pollution and Greenhouse Effect• Water, soil, and forests• Solid, toxic, and nuclear waste
Population and Environment
•Functionalist•Conflict•Interactionist
Perspectives
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OverpopulationThe world’s population:Is 6.72 billionWas 2.5 billion in 1950Has doubled in the last 50 yearsWill double again in the next 50 years, if trends
continue
Concern: Can the earth’s resources support this growth?
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Population GrowthGrowth rates vary among nations
High-income nations (i.e. US) have lower growth rates
Low-income nations (i.e. Africa) have higher growth rates
Population All people living in a specified region
Demography Study of size, composition, and distribution of
populations
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Factors affecting growthFertility
Actual number of children born to an individual or population
Associated with social and biological factors
MortalityNumber of deaths in a specific populationInfant mortality (death of infants under age 1)Life expectancy (average lifetime of a person)
MigrationMovement of people from one geographic area to
another to live
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Impact of Population GrowthPopulation growth affects the biological and
social characteristics of a populationAge, sex, raceMarital statusEducation, occupation, incomeSize of household
Example: In the U.S., age distribution of population affects the need for schools, employment opportunities, health care, and age-appropriate housing.
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Perspectives on GrowthMalthusian Perspective (1798)Global population will exceed the available food
supplyPopulation expands geometrically (1,2,4,8,16...)
while food supply increases arithmetically (1,2,3,4,5...)
Disaster can be averted by:Positive checks (e.g., famine, disease, war)Preventive checks (e.g, sexual abstinence,
delayed marriage)
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Perspectives on Growth, cont.Neo-Malthusian PerspectiveThe earth is a ticking time bomb because
population exacerbates environmental problems
Need to reduce our world population growth
Demographic Transition TheorySocieties move from high birth and death rates
to low birth and death rates as a result of technological development
Technology can help overcome problems predicted by previous 2 theories.
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World HungerProposals to avert global food shortages:
Green revolution Dramatic increases in agricultural production
through growing of high yield “miracle” crops This has been helpful in some areas but not in all
areas
Biotechnological revolution “Improving” plants or animals or using
microorganisms in innovative ways This has also helped but is not without problems.
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
Controlling FertilityResearchers believe limiting fertility is best
way to control overpopulation.
Government focuses on family planning measures.
Zero Population Growth: totally stable population from year to year.U.S. approaching zero population growth
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ImmigrationProportion of immigrants in the U.S. population is
the highest since 1940
In 2006, 12% of total population were from other nations
Immigration leads to higher taxes but also brings substantial economic benefits
US population policies focus on immigration – particularly illegal immigrants
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
Population and the EnvironmentEnvironmental Degradation
Disruptions to the environment that have negative consequences for ecosystems
CausesAs humans pursue economic development and
growth, they cause environmental degradationRemoving natural resources and increasing
pollution
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Air PollutionAcid Rain
Rainfall with large concentrations of sulfuric acid and nitric acids
Greenhouse EffectEnvironmental condition caused by excessive
carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere leading to global warming
Causes Fossil fuel pollution, mostly from vehicles but also from
industry
Hole the size of North America in ozone layer, steps being take to reduce this problem.
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Water, Soil, and Forest ProblemsWater scarcity is increasing on a global basis
Water pollution further diminishes the supply
A major water polluter in the U.S. is the paper-manufacturing industry
15 million acres of forest are lost to desertification Usable land turned into desert due to:
Overgrazing Harmful agricultural practices Deforestation (greatest in middle- and low-income
nations)
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Solid, Toxic, and Nuclear WasteHigh-income nations are running out of space
for solid waste produced by “disposable societies”236 million tons of solid waste created each yearTypical North American creates 1,500 lbs solid waste per
year
Toxic waste from hazardous by-products of industry causes death and disease if not disposed of properlyLove Canal (1970’s New York)
Nuclear waste most dangerous of all toxic wastes and remain deadly for prolonged period.
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Sociological PerspectivesTechnological Innovation serves important
functions
Latent dysfunctions of technology cause problems, but new technologies can solve them
Solutions to overpopulation and environmental degradation lie in social institutions.Especially education and government
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Sociological Perspectives, cont.Conflict:Classic Marxist
If poverty were alleviated, there would be enough food for all
Poverty exists because capitalists skim workers’ wages for profit
Contemporary conflictCorporations and government make economic
decisions that result in environmental problems
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ConflictEco-feminism:
Patriarchy is a root cause of environmental problems as nature is viewed as something to be possessed and dominated
Environmental Justice Framework:Environmental racism: disproportionate
amount of hazardous facilities placed in areas populated by minorities.
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Sociological Perspectives
Interactionist:
Through socialization, children learn core values that are often detrimental to the environment
However, there is some indication that concern for the environment is becoming a core value in the U.S.