1. Human Population

2. Humans Approx. 7 billion people on earth

3. Biotic potential The maximum growth rate. Human biotic potential is about 6%. (our population would double every 12 years if we reached our biotic potential)

4. History of the human population Hunter-gatherers – humans in early history nomadic, didn’t have much impact, small populations. Agrarian – about 10,000 years ago settled, planted/raised own food, more stable

6. Demographic transition Stage 1 = pre-industrial (developing countries) birth rate & death rate are high slow population growth (if any) Stage 2 = industrial (early) improved technology/medical, birth rates high, death rates fall, increase in growth rate

7. Stage 3 = post-industrial birth rates decline, growth rates decrease. (U.S. is in this stage!)

8. Reasons for birth rate declines Working women Education Available birth control Postpone marriage/family Increase in costs for children (have fewer)

9. Which areas are growing Developed countries are slowing or declining Undeveloped or developing countries are growing

10. Problems with population growth 1.Shortage of fuel wood wood for cooking & heating malnutrition, famine, disease

11. 2. Shortage of clean (potable) water water borne illnesses (cholera, dysentery, typhoid) are typical in some countries/areas

12. 3. Increase in disease crowding, sanitation issues

13. 4. Increase in poverty fewer jobs, ¼ of the world’s population in cities will be homeless due to overcrowding

14. 5. Increase in conflicts fewer resources = increased competition civil wars are increasing due to lack of food, water & other resources

15. 6. Increase in refugees people leaving homes due to conflict, lack of resources etc. creates problems for areas they move to (lack of resources & infrastructure)

16. Solving problems related to population growth Some countries are encouraging family planning available birth control, tax incentives, etc… Conserving resources/reducing consumption developed nation use the most resources, produce the most pollution (US consumes 10X the resources & goods of people in undeveloped countries)