Activity 1: Causes of Human Population Growth

Directions: Using the information, respond to the questions in your guided notes concerning the causes of human population growth.

Causes of Rapid Population Increase There are many factors that can affect population size When it refers to the human population, there are 3 important causes of human population growth

Reason 1: Deaths vs. Births More people are being born than dying Just this year 47 million people were born 19 million people died

Why are there more births than deaths? 1. Research in the areas of diseases such as AIDS has allowed for individuals to live despite a disease This is due to stronger and better medications 2. Fewer infants are dying at birth due to new medical practices and technology

Reason 2: Life Expectancy Longer life expectancies Meaning: People are living longer Average life expectancy worldwide 80 years In the U.S. 76 years

Why are people living longer? Doctors have switched from treating diseases to preventing diseases. This means that we are trying to keep people from getting sick instead of waiting until they get sick to treat them.

Reason 3: Technology Some of this new technology includes New advancements in technology Meaning that we have created new and better technology which allows us to continue to live and develop Some of this new technology includes Genetic engineering: We are able to grow and manage food in order to be able to make it last longer and produce more of it Medical technology

New technology has allowed us to grow crops, such as corn, in larger amounts and at a faster rate.