HUMAN

POPULATION AND
THE ENVIRONMENT
• Population -“all the inhabitants of a particular town,
area, or country”
• The human population is the total number of living
humans on earth
• Environment means “the sum total of all surroundings
of a living organism, including natural forces and other
living things, which provide conditions for
development and growth as well as of danger and
damage”
 Population growth and its variation
• The term population has its origin the Latin word populous, meaning people.
In ecology, a population may be defined as a group of organism of the same
species occupying a particular space.
• Our global human population, 7 billion at present.
• Increase in production per capita of agricultural produce at a global level
ceased during the 1980’s.
• Only 15% of the world’s population in the developed world is earning 79% of
income!
• Current development strategies that essentially lead to short-term gains
have led to a breakdown of our earth’s ability to replenish the resources on
which we depend.
• In some countries, food shortage has become a permanent
feature.
• Two of every three children in south Africa are underweight.
• In other regions famines due to drought have become more
frequent.
• Present development strategies have not been able to
successfully address these problems related to hunger and
malnutrition.
 Causes
1. LACK OF BIRTH CONTROL:
• The key components to unwanted population growth.
• Studies show that nearly 2/3rd of the women are poorly educated about their
reproductive capabilities
• This causes many women to breed more children than are needed in their country
or region.
2. RELIGIOUS BELIEFS:
• Most of the doctrines in these religions are based on the idea that the deity they
worship will prevent or support the birth of a child.
• In this way, the religions act as a birth control method of belief.
3. FINANCIAL INCENTIVES:
• In certain countries with low population rates, there are financial incentives are
given to the parents for educating children.
• In the united states, tax deductions were put in place to assist parents with the
day-to-day costs of raising a child.
4. FERTILITY TREATMENTS:
• Modern science has found ways to stimulate the reproductive system in many
ways to better ensure a pregnancy.
• There are many drawbacks with this procedure, however, there are chances for
increased birth rates in many women.
5. MORTALITY RATE:
• In most third world countries the mortality rate for children is 1 in 10 according
to the world health organization.
• Worldwide, there are roughly 9 births for every death.
6. INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION:
• Which occurred in 19th century Europe and North America, involved several
scientific and technological innovations, developments and advancements,
have improved the quality of life and have expanded the average life span
7. FOOD PRODUCTION:
• Since the mid-19th century, many agricultural innovations have enabled farmers
to dramatically increase and improve food production.
• For instance, between 1950 and 1984, the total amount of grain harvested
worldwide increased from 631 million tons to 1.65 billion tons.
8. PUBLIC HEALTH:
• By 1990, technological advancements facilitating cleaner cities, efficient sewage
systems, nutritional knowledge and adequate homes have also lowered death
rates.
9. DISEASE:
• Scientific discoveries and technological advancements that help prevent
infections, cure illnesses and enable people to survive diseases have significantly
promoted population growth.
• Vaccines have reduced the rate of infections such as smallpox, influenza, rubella
and polio.
 Effects
1. OVER POPULATION:
• When a population group passes the point at which the environment can no
longer supply the resources required to support the group's needs related to
fresh water, biodiversity and waste management.
2. IMPACT ON FOOD AND WATER:
• Food production creates a strain on habitat and energy use.
• Water is even more critical for human survival. the sierra club states that
more than 1 billion people do not have access to clean water.
3. FOOD PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION:
• More people means production of more agricultural and food resources.
• The problem is how those food resources are distributed and shall we be able
to produce a desired quantity of food or not?
4. ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND WASTE:
• Energy to heat and cool our homes and buildings and to run cars and
equipment.
• Easte takes on many forms from sewage to trash. • some waste is spewed
into the atmosphere or into waterways. air and water pollution are the result.
5. FOSSIL FUELS:
• more than 16 million hectares of forests are cleared annually.
• forest cover is linked not only to biodiversity issues but also to the
preservation of freshwater ecosystems, groundwater supplies, and reducing
the amount of greenhouse gases, which cause climate change.
6. SOIL EROSION:
• The more people there are, the more resources they use, and the more
pollution that results.
• This pollution may include air pollution due to increased fossil fuel emissions
from vehicles, or land or water pollution due to increased amounts of waste.
7. HABITAT DESTRUCTION:
• As populations in cities grow, urban sprawl(desire for comfort) also grows,
resulting in the destruction of critical habitat for a number of plant and
animal species.
• The loss of habitat can result in the encroachment of animals, such as
mountain lions, deer and coyotes.
8. HABITAT FRAGMENTATION:
• Natural habitats that are broken into separate pieces due to the construction
of buildings, roads and other man-made objects. it may alter the migration
routes of the animals.
9. PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS:
• Unchecked population growth may lead to public health problems
• For example, in many developing countries, populations do not
have access to clean water sources. water pollution, caused by a
lack of proper sanitation, can easily lead to the spread of disease.